By Nicole Poitra, NACD Northern Plains Region Representative

Every conservation district has those tasks that take more time and labor than we’d like. For many of us, installing weed barrier fabric during tree planting season is one of them.

For the Hutchinson Conservation District in South Dakota, one of the most physically demanding parts of the process was laying the fabric and installing the staples.

When you’re installing thousands of staples by hand, that means a lot of bending, sore backs, and worn-out hands. Some crews would throw staples to avoid bending, but accuracy wasn’t always there. Over time, the district knew there had to be a better way.

So, they built one.

Designed in the Shop, Tested in the Field

The Hutchinson Conservation District designed and prototyped a staple pusher in-house, using equipment in their own shop. After refining the design through a few prototypes, they partnered with a local machine shop to finalize production.

The concept is simple and practical. A staple slides into a slotted groove and is held in place by a magnet. The operator positions the tool over the fabric and pushes down. The weight of the tool helps drive the staple into the soil, with no repeated bending required. If the ground is firm, a second push sets it tight.

With the staple pusher, crews can now install staples accurately while standing upright and even keep pace with the tractor laying fabric ahead of them.

“We built this tool because labor is one of our largest expenses,” said Bryan Kludt, District Manager for the Hutchinson Conservation District. “Making the job faster and easier benefits our employees and our bottom line.”

Why It Matters

Planting trees and installing a weed barrier are foundational conservation practices, especially for shelter belts, but they are also time-sensitive and labor-intensive.

By reducing bending and improving placement accuracy, the staple pusher increases efficiency and reduces strain. While anyone can benefit from it, Kludt noted that adults and older staff especially appreciate the reduced physical demand.

For conservation districts working with limited crews and tight seasonal windows, small improvements in workflow can make a big difference. This is a practical example of conservation districts doing what they’ve always done best: identifying challenges in the field and finding workable solutions.

Available to Other Districts

The staple pusher was initially designed for 2-inch-wide staples commonly used in weed barrier applications. The Hutchinson Conservation District has filed for a patent and is currently offering the tool for purchase at $100 plus tax and shipping (where applicable). They will now be offering a staple pusher for 1-inch-wide staples as well.

Districts interested in learning more can visit www.hutchinsonconservation.com, email hutchcd[at]gwtc.net, or call 605-387-5539.

At the end of the day, this story isn’t just about a tool. It’s about districts looking at the work in front of them and asking, “How can we do this better?” and then actually building the solution.