Wood Ash Application
Wood ash is generated by wood processing facilities in the manufacturing of "panelboard". The primary use for wood ash in agriculture is as a soil amendment to neutralize acid soils. In addition the other property of wood ash that supports agricultural use are the varying levels of fertilizer and nutrients.
Please include all supporting documents and complete application fully. All required information is needed to complete application efficiently.
Commonly Used Soil Testing Facilities:
U of M Extension, Beltrami County
mnext-beltrami@umn.edu
7223 Fairgrounds Rd NW, Suite 7A
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-444-5722
Fax: 218-444-5238
Office hours
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Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Friday, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
AGVISE Laboratories
Benson Laboratory
Serving the Upper Midwest and Southern Great Plains
902 13th Street North
P.O. Box 187
Benson, MN 56215
Phone: 320-843-4109
Fax: 320-843-2074
WOOD ASH PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. COMPLETE APPLICATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
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Applications can be found at the Beltrami SWCD office or online at the Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District website, www.beltramiswcd.org/wood-ash-application. Along with the application, you will need to submit soil test results, aerial photos, an application fee, and landowner authorization forms (if you are not the listed owner of the fields). If there are multiple landowners, please fill out a separate application for each landowner.
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In order to receive wood ash, the pH of your fields must be 6.4 or below. Valid soil tests must be less than one year old. You can have your soil tested through a number of companies in the state.
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Aerial photos depicting and outlining the targeted fields are required. These can be obtained by using the online mapping function on your county’s website.
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If you are leasing fields, the legal landowner must fill out an “Authorization to Apply Wood Ash” form. This form is available both at the SWCD office and on the Beltrami SWCD Website.
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The application fee is a base price of $50 plus $10 per field (i.e. if you are registering three fields your fee would be $80). We accent cash or check; checks can be made out to Beltrami SWCD.
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Complete applications can be turned in at the SWCD office or mailed to:
Beltrami Soil & Water Conservation District
Attn: Rose Moore
701 Minnesota Ave. NW, Suite 113
Bemidji, MN 56601
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2. SWCD PROCESSES APPLICATION
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Once SWCD staff receives all necessary parts of your application, we will work to determine which fields are eligible to receive wood ash as well as the amount of ash necessary for your specific fields.
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Eligibility is based on soil pH and phosphorous levels as well as soil type. Fields with a high water table, steep topography, or excessive drainage may not be eligible.
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Once the application is processed, the SWCD will mail the applicant a packet detailing descriptions and maps of eligible/ineligible fields as well as guidelines for applying wood ash. We will also notify West Fraser of the amount of ash needed for your fields.
3. LANDOWNER COORDINATES WITH WEST FRASER FOR DELIVERY
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Approved applicants will work directly with Jerry Richards at West Fraser to arrange wood ash delivery or to be placed on the waiting list. We strive to allow for delivery within one year of an approved application, however this may vary based on the amount of applications received and the annual availability of ash.