The district currently performs two types of conservation seeding practices, both have their benefits and drawbacks. The district will choose which practice to use based on the needs and situations with the site.

Hay-Mulcher services

Every Spring and Summer, the district mulches road banks with Conservation Seedings for public agencies and private landowners for erosion control throughout the County. Contact the Conservation District Field Office for fees and scheduling. Mulching aids in erosion control in areas where little to no vegetation is present on the soil.

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The District is equipped with a Hay-Mulcher that allows employees to efficiently apply chopped hay bales to ground that has been seeded and fertilized to help aid in germination of grass seeds to minimize soil erosion. The Hay-Mulcher is mounted to a small equipment trailer that allows for easy transport. The mulcher chops hay and distributes it on the ground evenly with a hose that one of the District staff will control. This method is affordable and easy to use and is more suited for small areas where larger equipment cannot access.

Hydro Seeding

A second method of Conservation Seedings provided by the District is called Hydro-Mulching. This method involves a large trailer mounted mixer that combines a mulch agent made of  either wood fiber, cellulose fiber, or a blend with fertilizer, water, and a tackifier (an adhesive agent) to be sprayed under high pressure on seeded down road banks. Mulching leaves the area a blue-green color temporarily to tell you that it is present in the area. Hydro-Mulch helps keep grass seeds protected from direct sunlight while they begin to germinate and also allows them to access water and nutrients without having to sacrifice energy that could otherwise be dedicated to helping the seed germinate.