The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program has reached a new milestone, enrolling 1,000 farmers and landowners into the program. These owners represent more than 715,000 acres. The goal is to enroll one million acres by the end of 2022.
The program puts farmers in touch with their local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate water quality risks. Certified producers have priority when it comes to receiving financial assistance for projects, and certified farms are considered in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years.
Since the certification program began, more than 2,050 new conservation practices were added; 38,500 tons of sediment stayed out of the state’s rivers; 110,000 tons of soil and 48,500 pounds of phosphorus were saved; nitrogen losses were cut by 49%; and the equivalent of 39,000 metric tons of carbon emissions were reduced each year.
This article appeared in the May 2021 issue of Journal of Nutrient Management on page 5. Not a subscriber? Click to get the print magazine.
