Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program
The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead on implementing conservation practices that protect water quality. Those who implement and maintain approved conservation practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. This program will help address concerns about changing regulatory requirements from multiple state and federal agencies. Certainty is a commitment provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For more details about the program, please visit the Ag Water Quality Certification Program webpage on the MDA's website.
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program began certifying farms in pilot watershed areas in June of 2014, and began certifying farms statewide in July 2015. As of February 5, 2024, there are 1,445 certified farms that represent 986,193 current acres. An additional 2,811new conservation practices are being adopted as a result of this program. Over 1 million acres have been certified over the lifetime of the program (1,034,856 acres).
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a first of its kind, voluntary program that supports the implementation of conservation practices on a field-by-field, whole farm basis. Through its innovative and nationally recognized process of identifying and mitigating agricultural risks to water quality, the MAWQCP delivers on-farm conservation that helps protect and restore Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The MAWQCP is a national demonstration project that is operated as a federal-state partnership between the State of Minnesota, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Minnesota’s 88 soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs). The certification program has also partnered with industry leaders including Land O’ Lakes Inc., Hormel Foods, and Central Farm Service to promote the program and enroll additional acreage. Farmers and landowners who treat all risks to water quality on their operation are certified and are deemed to be in compliance with any new water quality laws or rules for 10 years. Certification gives farmers and the public greater certainty about regulatory standards and assures the public that Minnesota’s farmers are doing their part to protect water quality.
The members of the 2022-2023 MAWQCP Advisory Committee are:
- Anne Schwagerl, Minnesota Farmers Union, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Ariel Kagan, Environmental Initiative
- Brian Buhr, Dean of the U of M, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences
- Bryan Biegler, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Dennis Fuchs, Stearns County SWCD
- Eric Sannerud, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Joe Smentek, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
- Leif Fixen, The Nature Conservancy
- Lori Cox, Roots Return Heritage Farm, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Lucas Sjostrom, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Nathan Collins, Minnesota Farm Bureau, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Spencer Herbert, Land O'Lakes Truterra
- Steve Peterson, retired - General Mills, past-Chair Field to Market, past-Chair MN Agrigrowth Council, MAWQCP Certified Producer
- Tom Raymond, Hormel Foods
- Trent Wimmer, Syngenta
M.L. 2023: (f) $3,500,000 the first year and $3,500,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.
(f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Number of partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- Funds Leveraged
As of June 30, 2023:
- 1,374 certified farms
- 938,851 certified acres
- 2,239 NEW best management practices
- 41 partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- $22,100,041 have been leveraged
(f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Number of partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- Funds Leveraged
As of June 20, 2022:
- 1,240 certified farms
- 892,578 certified acres
- 2,478 NEW best management practices
- 38 partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- $18,466,583 have been leveraged
M.L. 2019: f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2024.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Number of partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- Funds Leveraged
See the most recent fiscal year for current measures.
M.L. 2019: f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2024.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Number of partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- Funds Leveraged
As of December 7, 2020:
- 977 certified farms
- 685,767 certified acres
- 1,998 NEW Best Management Practices
- 30 partners engaged in promotion and delivery of MAWQCP
- $13,319,324 have been leveraged
M.L. 2017: (g) $2,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2021.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Percent of program funds passed through to local government units.
- Funds Leveraged
For up to date information please see the most recent fiscal year.
M.L. 2017: (g) $2,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2021
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Percent of program funds passed through to local government units.
- Funds Leveraged
At the end of December 2018:
- Over 690 certified farms
- More than 449,000 certified acres
- 1328 NEW Best Management Practices, saving 127 million pounds of soil per year and reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses.
55-65% of program funds are passed through to local government units and participating farmers:
The program is leveraging over $9 million in federal funding to enhance programs in Minnesota
F2527 REVISOR CKM S2527-2 2nd Engrossment (05/22/2016) Starting on line 66.29
M.L. 2015: (g) $2,500,000 the first year is and $2,500,000 the second year are to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. The commissioner of agriculture shall consult with the United States Department of Agriculture to determine whether other state spending would qualify as a match for the agricultural water quality certification program funds available from the federal government. By January 1, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report on funding recommendations to the Clean Water Council and the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture, the environment and natural resources, and the clean water fund. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2019.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Percent of program funds passed through to local government units.
- Funds Leveraged
For up to date information please see the most recent fiscal year.
M.L. 2015: (g) $2,500,000 the first year is to implement the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program statewide. The commissioner of agriculture shall consult with the United States Department of Agriculture to determine whether other state spending would qualify as a match for the agricultural water quality certification program funds available from the federal government. By January 1, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report on funding recommendations to the Clean Water Council and the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture, the environment and natural resources, and the clean water fund. Funds appropriated in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2016, and the commissioner may request additional funding for this program for fiscal year 2017.
The following measures are tracked for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Conservation Program. The values reported are cumulative over the life of the program.
- Number of certified farms
- Number of certified acres
- Number of NEW best management practices
- Percent of program funds passed through to local government units.
- Funds Leveraged
• 327 certified farms • 188,153 certified acres • 555 NEW Best Management Practices 65% of program funds are passed through to local government units: -The program is leveraging over $9 million in federal funding to enhance programs in Minnesota. -The program is supporting 8 non-MDA positions.
M.L. 2013: (g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are to implement a Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
Measurable outcomes are reported in fiscal year 2014
Measurable outcomes are reported in fiscal year 2014
$9M NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)$100,000 McKnight Foundation$3M dedicated EQIP funding pool
M.L. 2013: (g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are to implement a Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
Measureable outcomes were proposed in fiscal year 2012 and have remained consistent.
• Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations and other education events (Over 120 meetings, events, fields days, and presentations at conferences and tradeshows)• Number of farmers participating in the MAWQCP in each pilot area within the term of the pilot program (31 certified farms, 12,861 acres)• Number of conservation practices implemented (84)• Number of partners involved in local pilots’ activities (15)Buffalo-Red River Watershed District, Wilkin County SWCD, West Otter Tail County SWCD, Whitewater River Watershed Project, Wabasha County SWCD, Winona County SWCD, Olmsted County SWCD, Rural Advantage, Martin County SWCD, Jackson County SWCD, Cottonwood County SWCD, Watonwan County SWCD, Faribault County SWCD, Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, Stearn County SWCD• Amount of money leveraged by the MAWQCP ($12.1 million)
M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
Measureable outcomes were proposed in fiscal year 2012 and have remained consistent.
These measures are reported as a cumulative over the years of the program. For up to date information please see the most recent fiscal year.
M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
The MDA is tracking the following information:
- Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations and other education events
- Number of farmers participating in the MAWQCP in each pilot area within the term of the pilot program
- Number of conservation practices implemented
- Number of partners involved in local pilots’ activities
- Amount of money leveraged by the MAWQCP
- Upon two-years of pilot operation: a. Have developed an agricultural operation assessment process that functionally addresses water quality impacts and incorporates a process for revisions as practices, management and technology changes become established and approved.
Measurable outcomes are reported in fiscal year 2014. These measures are reported as a cumulative over the years of the program. For up to date information please see the most recent fiscal year.
Additional federal and state resources for this program will be identified by the advisory committee as well as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.