The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program is a recognition and incentive program for producers who are taking intentional, voluntary steps towards protecting water quality on their agricultural lands. This program is administered by the MN Dept. of Ag with local implementation by Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Farmers who plant buffers along waterways beyond what is required by law, use cover cropping to prevent erosion, and implement practices to mitigate nutrient pollution can receive recognition by the State for their efforts. In addition, they receive regulatory certainty and confidence in long-term planning for their operations as certified farmers are considered to be compliant with any new water quality rules or laws during the period of certification. The people of Minnesota can feel confident that farmers are using certified practices that protect our high-quality lakes and streams. Please visit https://www.mda.state.mn.us/environment-sustainability/minnesota-agricultural-water-quality-certification-program for more information or call our Area Certification Specialist, Ryan Clark, at the Carlton County SWCD, to find out how you can participate: ryan.clark@carltonswcd.org, 218-384-3891 x6.
