News and Information
Current news and information on conservation subjects as well as links to planning information.
See also the Tree Information, Soil Health, Pollinators and Landscapes,
and Other Links (Producer Resource and Agency/Organization Links) pages.
Current News and Events
Foster County SCD 2026 Plan-of-Work
Information on Watering Trees
Foster County SCD 2025 Annual Report
NDSU Extension Field to Fork Webinar Series
Sessions each Wednesday at 2 PM Central Time, Feb. 11 - April 15, 2026. Link above goes to registration page.
NDSU Extension Spring Fever Garden Forums
Monday evenings starting at 6:30 PM, March 23-April 13, 2026. Can be watched from home or at the Carrington City Library. Link above leads to information and links to the registration page. Information from previous years and sessions is still available at the linked site as well.
High Winds and Dry Weather Led to Soil Erosion Event
The dust storm on March 29-30, 2021 left drifted soil in ditches all around the area. Foster County SCD found numerous sites with a foot or more of lost topsoil accumulated. No-till has decreased vulnerability to wind erosion, but soybean fields including no-till sites were especially prone to blowing. Shelterbelts are still needed, along with live roots in the soil wherever possible. Consider planting cover crops or winter annuals.
Photos show a few of the sites in Foster County with dirt drifts 12-15" deep.
For more information, see the video "The History of Soil Erosion in North Dakota" on YouTube.
Conservation Planning Resources
Website by a partnership of North Dakota conservation organizations and agencies that provides information and helps users find programs that will assist with their desired conservation goals.
A good resource for finding out the soil type information for any given piece of land, useful as a planning tool
The ND Agricultural Weather Network
The online Field Office Technical Guide has primary scientific references for NRCS and contains technical information about soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources. Searchable by state and county. Includes specifications for installation of conservation practices.
Online database of plants of the United States
Foster County Conservation Services Vendor List
Other Local Information and Product Resources
Plantskydd Product Flyers (For purchasing information, go to Products page):
Plantskydd Fall Tree and Garden Use Plantskydd Agricultural Use
Video of Weed Barrier Fabric Maintenance
Video of Weed Barrier Fabric Removal Attachment in Use (See Rental page for skidsteer attachment and rates)
This program is now handled by Jamestown Tourism. Use link above to find the guide map brochure for Birding Drives in Foster, Stutsman, and Wells Counties.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Located just south of Foster County
Foster County SCD 2024 Annual Report
Foster County SCD 2023 Annual Report
Foster County SCD 2022 Annual Report
Man, despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistications and his many accomplishments, owes his existence to a 6-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains. --Anonymous