Aug. 25, 2026
Sydney Widell – Coon Creek Community Watershed Council
The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council (CCCWC) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this fall, as well as the 93rd anniversary of the nation’s first watershed conservation project, which Coon Creek residents helped lead during the 1930s.
The local conservation nonprofit will mark the occasion with live music, a locally-sourced farm dinner, and a program featuring Coon Creek producers and other conservation partners on September 2nd at the Bakkum Farm in Westby. Like all CCCWC gatherings, the event is free and all are welcome.
“In the last five years, we’ve seen so much interest in conservation spreading in the watershed, but we need to see even more people trying to control runoff on their property using conservation and soil health techniques,” said Orlan Bakkum, who is hosting the celebration along with his wife, Denise. “There is no set conservation practice that is going to work for everybody. For me, I’m hopefully avoiding a lot of erosion, and hopefully building more soil.”
Bakkum’s farm has been in his family for three generations. He grew up milking cows and harvesting tobacco, but these days he’s switched to cropping corn and hay.
This summer, Bakkum collaborated with UW Extension Agriculture and Water Quality Specialist Sheri Schwert to measure how much soil runs off his minimally tilled fields and flows through the perennial buffer strips he’s planted in intervals along the contours of his sloping fields. Schwert and Bakkum will demonstrate the low-tech technique they used to measure soil erosion and discuss results from their study at the Sept. 2nd event.
CCCWC leaders will also share updates and accomplishments from the organization’s fifth year, as well as plans for the upcoming season. The night will also feature Vernon County forester Steve Pulaski, who will highlight forestry best management practices, and Vernon County Conservationist David Hettenbach, speaking about county-sponsored cost share options.
The September 2nd gathering will begin with appetizers, drinks, and music at 5:30, followed by the program at 6:00, and dinner at 7:00. The Bakkum Farm is located at E6136 Jore Rd in Westby. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and picnicware.
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