GROW Projects
What is the GROW Program?
Over the years, the West Interlake Watershed District (WIWD) has worked with local producers to complete projects throughout the district to enhance and restore valued land. As the soil health crop program is gaining popularity, producers are becoming more and more interested in soil health, with many of them doing their own research and trials.
GROW Program Achievements
In the 2021 year, the WIWD worked with 18 producers to establish 3,052 acres of soil health crops funded through the Conservation Trust, and 6 producers who established 1,232 acres of soil health crops funded though the GROW trust, totaling 4,284 acres. In 2020, the WIWD enhanced 2022 acres through the Cover Crop program funded by the Conservation Trust. The WIWD signed 1 ten year contract with a producer to erect 2.4 kilometers of cross fencing to implement rotaional grazing, and 3 ten year contracts with producers to install 3 alternative watering systems to enhance the land by implementing grazing practices. Currently, the LGC has reviewed and approved 8 applications to establish 740 acres of soil health crops, and 3 applications to establish 242 acres are pending review. To date, the LGC has reviewed and approved 12 applications where 12 alternative watering systems and 8 kilometers of exclusion fencing are expected to be completed.
A total of 457 acres of riparian area were enhanced though approximately 21 kilometers of exclusion fencing along the Hatchery Drain, Buffalo Lake, Burnt Lake and small water sources previously used for livestock drinking water supply. 25 alternative watering systems were installed to allow cattle access to clean drinking water. Three of them were funded by the Manitoba Ag Action program.
Between 2020 and 2022, 2,065.36 acres of sensitive land were restored through the establishment of perennial forages. The LGC has currently reviewed and approved and additional 5 applications to establish 322 acres of perennial forage.
It's thanks to GRowing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) and the Conservation Trust that the watershed has been able to support these projects. Click the button below to explore the programs we offer provided with funding from GROW.