Coon Creek Watershed’s “Tainter Creek report”

A decade after producers organized the Tainter Creek watershed council, a new study led by Lexi Wellman of UW-Madison reveals that efforts to increase managed grazing adoption resulted in a 14 percent reduction in phosphorus concentrations in the creek. Wellman’s research highlights the vital role of producer-led groups in advancing land-use changes that support both agricultural viability and water quality.

Between 2019 and 2022, the Tainter Creek Farmer-led Water Quality Project distributed $173,000 to producers to implement conservation practices across 98 hectares. By converting annual cropping systems to managed grazing, the project aimed to reduce surface water phosphorus, a significant concern in Driftless stream systems. Wellman notes that focusing conservation investment on transitioning agricultural land to perennial grazing provides a higher return on efforts compared to incremental management practices.

To scale these land-use transformations, Wellman emphasizes the need for outcomes-based incentives, improved access to technical guidance, and collaborative financial planning tools.

The community can learn more about these findings at the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council’s upcoming general meeting on August 5 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Munsch Farm, located at S995 Bagstad Lane in Coon Valley. Attendees will hear from Wellman and producer leaders who helped develop the economic analysis tools used in the Tainter Creek project.

The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council is also offering cost-share opportunities for managed grazing adoption to producers in the Coon Creek, West Fork Kickapoo, and Little La Crosse watersheds. Interested producers can find more information on their website.