MAWQCP Insider - May

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May 2020

COVID-19: The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program has and will continue to maintain full operations and ensure delivery of technical and financial assistance to all new applicants and existing certified farms. Our staff and partners throughout the state are dedicated to providing service and support to Minnesota’s essential agricultural producers. 

Should the current pandemic or any other circumstance create a conservation concern on your farming operation, please contact your local certifying agent to obtain available resources.  All MAWQCP-certified farms are eligible to participate in the MAWQCP Financial Assistance Grant Program as well as receive priority in NRCS administered financial assistance programs.

Farm Business Management Data Shows MAWQCP-Certified Farms are More Profitable

A new report from the Farm Business Management (FBM) program by AgCentric and the Minnesota State Agriculture Centers of Excellence documents MAWQCP-certified farms as more profitable.  The first-year report compared the complete financial data of all farms in the FBM database to the MAWQCP-certified farms in the database.  The data showed that the MAWQCP farms had higher net income, better term debt coverage and operating expense ratios, and in most instances even higher yields. Read the full report.

MAWQCP Offering Endorsements for Conservation Actions Beyond Water Quality Certification

The MAWQCP now offers three conservation endorsements to water quality certified producers for soil health, integrated pest management, and wildlife. MAWQCP-certified growers will receive a promotional sign to show their conservation excellence.  MAWQCP has awarded 34 endorsements since piloting began in late 2019.  COVID-19 has slowed our shipment of signs, but we will get those out to endorsement awardees as soon as possible. To learn more, contact your local MAWQCP Area Certification Specialist.

Meet Minnesota’s Water Quality Certified Producers

Dustin Frieler farms with his dad, Tom Frieler, along with David Schoenborn, and together they operate Spring Waters Acres LLC in Stearns County. They grow corn, soybeans, and small grains on over 4,000 acres and approximately 75 of those acres are filter strips enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Depending on the soil types and slopes, they utilize no-till, strip-till, and mulch tillage systems to minimize nutrient loss and soil erosion and improve soil health. They achieved an advanced nutrient management rating in their assessment by utilizing multiple Best Management Practices to reduce the risks to water quality.

Dustin and Tom Frieler

They became water quality certified in March 2020 as part of their effort to continue conservation and to ensure they are doing their part to protect and enhance nature’s resources.

“We decided to become water quality certified as there can be a lot of misleading information out there about agriculture,” said Dustin. “I think it’s important to show the public that we’re doing our part to keep water clean.”

Check out the story map to learn about some of the 875+ certified farms in Minnesota. If you are interested in sharing your story, contact Danielle Isaacson at Danielle.Isaacson@state.mn.us

Certification Reviews Underway

Protecting credibility is an important part of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certification program.  To do this, certified farms participate in at least one individualized certification review during the 10-year certification period. This process gives us the opportunity to provide further support and assistance to producers, to review and gain insight on improving the certification process, and to discuss any changes to farm operations since the time of certification. Certification staff plan to review over 200 farms in 2020, many of which have already been complete.

News and Events

Rice County SWCD Delivers Water Quality Certification

Rice County’s Soil and Water Conservation District promotes a Minnesota Department of Agriculture program that has helped farmers take a comprehensive approach to maximizing soil health. In Rice County, 28 landowners have taken advantage of the program, including Bob and Rich Sommers.

Bob and Rich Sommers

The Sommers have farmed together since 1993 and have been involved with the program since its inception in 2014. Rich Sommers noted that Rice County’s farmland has traditionally been highly productive, and that it’s only sure to stay that way with proper soil and water management.“ We know we aren’t going to be the last ones farming this land,” he said. “People in the future will need to have good land to keep production strong.”

Read the full article.

Nolte Family Farms Achieve Water Quality Certification

Rita Nolte (left), Tim Nolte, Eric Nolte, Katie Hockett, Jacob Nolte, Eva Ehnert, Anne Oldakowski, Assistant Manager, Wadena SWCD, Dan Ehnert and Jim Lahn, MAWQCP Area Certification Specialist

Tim and Rita Nolte - and much of their family – are all involved in the management of their farming operation near Sebeka. As they care for their cow-calf herd and their pasture, hay, and row crop fields, they also care for the resources that make it possible. Jim Lahn, Area Certification Specialist North Central Minnesota, said, “I thank the Nolte family for participating in this program – it’s an excellent way for farmers to consider new Conservation Practices and also tell the story of the good things they do to protect water quality.”

Read the full article.

Hormel Foods Cites Partnership, MAWQCP in its Environmental Stewardship Efforts

Cedar River Watershed Partnership consists of Hormel Foods, Truterra (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN), Central Farm Services, Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District, Environmental Initiative, and MAWQCP.

Hormel Foods recently highlighted their commitment to sustainable agriculture efforts by featuring their participation in the Cedar River Watershed Partnership. The public-private partnership is aimed at improving water quality in the Cedar River watershed within Hormel Food’s supply chain. The partnership holds several events for farmers and helps them become certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.

Read the full article.

MAWQCP Featured in First Minnesota House Ag Committee Hearing of 2020

The House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division held as its first hearing of 2020, an information-only meeting focused on the impacts of climate change on Minnesota agriculture and what is being done to address the issue. Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), the division chair, said the hearing would help get people “on the same page” about what is being, and can be, done. No action was taken. Division members heard from a number of state officials who discussed the impacts of climate change on agriculture and best practices that can mitigate the damage being done, and potentially become an additional source of income for growers.

Watch the MAWQCP testimony.

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

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