Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

Today Steve Pahs, District Director of the Rice County Soil and Water Conservation District, was on AM Minnesota. Steve asked if he could come on AM Minnesota to discuss a new program called the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. This program is a voluntary opportunity for landowners and farmers to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect water quality, or in most cases receive recognition that they are already doing a good job with conservation practices.

Farmers or landowners will fill out an application and then a licensed certifier will come out to the farm for a consultation on a field-by-field basis. If during the certification process issues relating to water quality are found, technical and financial assistance is available to address the problem. Here is the best part, a special fund has been set up through the EQUIP program to "fix the problem." The EQUIP program through the NRCS is a very popular program, and many times landowners need to wait until money is available. This separate fund even has a higher cost share than the normal EQUIP program.

When farms have finished the verification they will receive a sign to put on the end of their driveway that says Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm. The signs reminded me of the River Friendly Farmer signs, if you remember that program. There is one more major benefit of becoming certified. Certified farms are deemed to be in compliance with any new water quality rules or laws during the period of their certification. If you would like more information, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.