|
|
Certification Update
- 555 Certified producers managing 354,492 acres in Minnesota
-
1,044 New conservation practices implemented
|
MAWQCP Certified Producer Survey
In January 2018, a survey was sent to the first 500 producers certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water
Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The goal of the survey was to explore the demographics and motivations of this group. To date, over 50% of the surveys have been returned.
Notably, the responses highlight the great work of the program's Soil and Water Conservation District partners: 81% of certified producers heard about the program through their local SWCD. In addition, producers certified through the MAWQCP are representative of the average Minnesota farm. Additional insights from the producer survey include:
- 62% participated to demonstrate their water ethic
- 76% spent 10 hours or less on the certification process
- 99% are likely, very likely or extremely likely to recommend the program to other (82% are very or extremely likely)
- 49% are members of a farming organization or commodity group (over 15 organizations ranging from Farm Bureau to fruit growers were noted)
Land O' Lakes Sustain Awarded for Sustainable Leadership
 Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN, a
business unit of Land O’Lakes, is being recognized for their on-farm water
quality and conservation work at this year’s Environmental Initiative
Awards on May 23. The Sustainable Leadership: Large Employer
category acknowledges collaborative efforts to pursue sustainable
business
practices or offer private sector-based solutions to environmental,
economic,
and social equity challenges. Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN focuses on driving
on-farm
improvements, protecting natural resources and helping to ensure the
health and
productivity of every acre for every farmer. Currently working in the
Cedar
River Watershed District, Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN is the first private
entity to
work with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to help farmers get
certified
with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program
(MAWQCP).
|
|
|
MAWQCP in the News
Water Quality Farms
Pioneer Public
Television in Appleton, MN produced a video highlighting the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and one of its certified producers, the Schefers family. The Schefers have a 500 acre farm, which includes 80 acres of wetlands, grass buffers, and conservation reserve program land. Check it out!
|
|
 |
State of Water Conference
 MN Agricultural Water
Quality Certification Program staff presented at the State of Water Conference
sponsored by the Freshwater Society on April 13. The presentation included Darren Newville and Jim Lahn (East Otter Tail
SWCD), along with a panel of two young farmers, Andrew Schock and Andy
Dombeck. The title of the session was “Promoting Water Quality
Stewardship in Agriculture” with a focus on the certification program as a method of reaching farmers and promoting
good practices. The presentation highlighted the many new practices
that farmers are adopting as a part of their Certification Agreements and how
these go beyond traditional conservation delivery.
|
|
|
 Certify your land, water and legacy for years to come.
Contact your local soil and water conservation district office to get started.
|
MyLandMyLegacy.com
mda.mawqcp@state.mn.us
|
|
