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    • Pictured left to right: Brenda Kaschmitter, Brian Kaschmitter, Marilyn Kaschmitter, and Glen Kaschmitter. Not pictured: Gail Kaschmitter
  • Brian and Glen Kaschmitter, of Kaschmitter Farms, Inc., have been selected by the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District as the 2009 Outstanding Conservationists. The Outstanding Conservationist contest is sponsored by The Farmer Magazine and the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD). Recently, the MASWCD named Kaschmitter Farms, Inc. as one of eight Area Finalists for Minnesota. A State Winner will be announced and recognized at the MASWCD 73rd Annual Convention on December 8, 2009 in Duluth, MN.
    
    The Outstanding Conservationist contest is an important event because it recognizes the accomplishments and efforts of local cooperators in soil and water conservation. The contest focuses not only on the practices that have been implemented by the Outstanding Conservationist contestants, but also acknowledges their efforts to assist others and for their initiative to be progressive. Below are just a few things the Kaschmitters have implemented on their farms over the past few years:
    
  • * In 2007 the Kaschmitters implemented a prescribed grazing system for their beef herd to increase the utilization of their 39.7 acres of pasture through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Brian and Glen installed hi-tensile fencing, pipeline, watering tanks as well as frost-seeded legumes on 21 acres to increase the diversity of forage species available to their cattle.
    
    * Brian and Glen are currently implementing residue and tillage management through EQIP. In 2008 and 2009 the Kaschmitters mulch-tilled approximately 196 acres of cropland by leaving a minimum of 30% residue on the field. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Kaschmitters also implemented strip-till on approximately 163 acres of cropland.
    
    * The Kaschmitters have participated in the Elk River Watershed Association's (ERWA) 319 Grant incentive program to create nutrient and manure Agricultural Best Management Practice (Ag BMP) test plots in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. These various test plots compared different rates of poultry manure, different rates of liquid hog manure, and different rates of liquid dairy manure. The goal of the test plots is to utilize the nutrients in the manure to the maximum extent possible without over-applying.
    
    * Over the past 10 years Brian and Glen have raised and released 150 pheasants each year sponsored by the Rice Area Sportsmen's Club. Brian and Glen have been members of the Rice Area Sportsmen's Club since 1995.
    
    * Each fall Brian and Glen intentionally leave a total of 5 acres of standing corn for wildlife food plots in four different areas of their cropped land.
    
    * Brian has been a member of the Elk River Watershed Association and the Water Resources Advisory Committee in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
    
    * Glen was a member of the City of Sauk Rapids Natural Resources Steering Committee in 2007 and 2008 and is the President of the Benton/Mille Lacs Farm Bureau Federation.
    
    
    Brian and Glen Kaschmitter represent what it truly means to be conservationists and stewards of the land in every way. They manage their livestock and grain farm in a manner that allows them to achieve the highest level of productivity while still maintaining a strong resource base. The practices that they have installed and the farming system that they have adopted protects the water resource, maintains a high level of water quality, provides a diverse plant community, and supplies adequate food, water, and cover for wildlife. In addition, they are willing to share their time, knowledge, and conservation ethic with others through the community service that they do.
• Congratulations Kaschmitter Family!