Water Management With Keyline Design

SFA Central Chapter is hosting a workshop, 'Water Management With Keyline Design,' from 5 to 7 p.m. Wed., May 16, at Bakers' Acres, 36861 County Rd 9, Avon. This workshop updates previous keyline events as Bakers Acres has implemented a second berm and swale to control livestock runoff.

View an implemented keyline-based water management system on a small farm, and learn one method to address rapid water drainage and restore landscape hydrology and soil organic matter. By getting more working examples on the ground and demonstrating the effectiveness of keyline design, SFA hopes to increase the awareness and adoption of this practice.

This demo day will illustrate the difference between bulldozer-dug swales/berms and a moldboard plow swale/berm; show how the engineering works with pocket ponds; discuss the difference in goals for keyline design (holding water vs. shedding water); show challenges in maintenance (mowing, adjusting water flow); show agroforestry considerations (where trees can be planted and considerations), discuss impacts on wildlife biodiversity, food safety implications, results analysis from the 2015 implementation after two years, and more.

Admission is free for SFA members and $30 for nonmembers. 

This workshop is part of a demonstration grant awarded to SFA Central Chapter by the U. of M. Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. 

Info: central@sfa-mn.org or 320.309.0746.