UMN Extension to Host Drainage Management Workshop

By Scout Nelson

The University of Minnesota Extension will host the Minnesota Drainage Program on Aug. 13, 2026, at Farmamerica in Waseca, Minnesota. The event is intended for farmers, drainage contractors, drainage engineers, local government staff and conservation professionals interested in improving agricultural drainage management.

Participants may attend the morning session, afternoon session or the full-day program. Registration costs $25 and includes lunch along with access to educational exhibits and vendor displays.

The morning session will focus on drainage basics and precision drainage, covering topics such as drainage design, field layouts, tile depth and spacing. Attendees will also learn about DrainTool®, a GIS-based software that helps landowners and contractors develop efficient drainage system designs.

Experts will discuss modern drainage technologies and practices that improve water management based on field conditions, soil characteristics and crop needs. The session will also include information on controlled drainage systems and their role in agricultural water management.

A guided field tour will give participants an opportunity to see controlled drainage practices in action. The tour is designed to provide practical insights into how these systems function in real-world farming operations.

The afternoon session will focus on local coordination and watershed management. Presentations will address drainage planning, project coordination, governance models and collaboration among counties, agencies and watershed organizations.

County officials, engineering consultants and watershed leaders will discuss drainage improvement projects, ditch management and strategies for successful multi-partner initiatives. A second controlled drainage field tour will be available following the afternoon program.

Those interested in attending can register and view the complete agenda at z.umn.edu/MDPFarmamerica. Additional information is available from Tim Gieseke at 507-766-9495 or tgieseke@umn.edu.

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