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Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification milestone

Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program has eclipsed 500 farmers and 300,000 acres enrolled.

Department of Agriculture deputy commissioner Matt Wohlman says certified producers have implemented more than 930 conservation practices since the voluntary program began three years ago.

“We have essentially reduced sediment loading in our rivers, lakes, and streams by 23 million pounds per year.  We’re keeping 54 million pounds of soil on the farm.  Reducing phosphorous loading by a little over 14,000 pounds per year.”

And on average, Wohlman says certified farms are reducing nitrogen loss by nearly 50 percent.

He tells Brownfield the latest milestone was achieved by enrolling farmers located in the Cedar River Watershed.

“And if we had 10, 15, or 25 percent of producers across the state that would do the same thing, the kind of water quality results we’d see.  Which is really important.”

The Cedar River Watershed Project is a collaboration between local soil and water conservation districts, the Minnesota Department of Ag, Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN, CFS Cooperative, Hormel Foods, and the Environmental Initiative.