10 Years of MAWQCP

As MAWQCP enters its 10th year of statewide certifications, the program is recognizing producers who recertify their operations. Farmers who complete the process will receive a mug and continued satisfaction that they are helping to conserve our state’s water resources.

If you are certified and approaching the 10-year mark, it's time to recertify. Reach out to your local certification specialist to begin the process.

Below are additional benefits to re-certification:

• Regulatory certainty: Certified operations are considered in compliance with state water quality regulations that may emerge during their 10-year agreement.
• Farm Business Management Scholarships: The Farm Business Management Program helps owners and operators meet business and personal goals through one-on-one instruction. Scholarships cover 75% of tuition costs the first year and 50% through completion of the program.
• Access to ongoing grants for new practices that support water quality: Certified producers have priority access to financial assistance for implementing approved conservation practices, up to $5,000 a year.
• Access to emerging grants that support best management and conservation practices (BMPs): Upcoming opportunities include funds for nitrogen inhibitor product use, tree planting, crop diversification, and more.
• Priority feedlot permitting through MPCA: Certified producers’ applications move to the top.
• Soil Health Equipment Grant ranking points: Certified farms are prioritized in the ranking process for the MDA’s Soil Health Financial Assistance Program. To date, 90% of awards have been made to certified farms.
• Branding and marketing: Certified producers can use the Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm label to promote their products.
• FREE technical assistance: Participants receive specialized technical and financial assistance to implement practices that enhance soil health and water quality.
• Opportunity to show the public that voluntary conservation programs work. This is a chance to demonstrate how farmers are implementing best management practices on a scale that does not require additional regulation.

To all who are certified, thank you for your leadership on behalf of Minnesota agriculture.

Resources to Optimize your Nitrogen Rate

Trying to optimize your nitrogen rate? A few programs can help! Nitrogen application rates can have a big impact on water quality and a farm’s bottom line. Optimizing nitrogen rates can improve the profitability of your farm and reduce water quality risks. However, finding your optimal target nitrogen rate(s) can be a challenge. The following programs can help:

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s (PFI) Nitrogen Rate Risk Protection Program is available for farmers experimenting with reduced nitrogen application rates on conventional cornfields. If you’re trying out a lower nitrogen application rate, enrollment in PFI’s N Rate Risk Protection Program is a great way to protect against financial risk in the event of yield loss. The program offers $5 per enrolled acre of corn where a reduced, PFI-approved nitrogen rate is being used. Enrolled farmers receive a $30/acre payment on enrolled acres where there is a significant yield drop resulting from the reduced nitrogen rate. Enrollment is open for the 2026 season.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) supports farmers and crop advisors in conducting nutrient management field trials, including nitrogen rate trials. Field trial design must meet specific minimum requirements to assure high-quality data. N rate trials should take place on strips that are at least 30 ft by 600 ft; there should be a minimum of 30 lb N/acre rate difference between trials. Compensation for farmers is up to $1,500 per trial, and compensation for crop advisors is up to $700 per trial. Registration for 2026 trials will open in mid-January.

Test Your Private Well

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends that private well owners test water from a faucet that is used for cooking and drinking to identify possible contaminants. Resources for private well testing include:

• The Minnesota Department of Health: Guidance on how and where to test private wells
• Tap In - Safe Drinking Water for SE MN: Free testing for private well users in Southeast Minnesota (first-come basis while funding lasts)
• Dakota County: Free testing for private well users within the county, with grant eligibility information available online
• The Minnesota Well Owners Organization: Well testing clinics across the state

For questions on well water quality and testing, please email the Minnesota Department of Health Well Management Section at health.wells@state.mn.us.