Minnesota’s clean water certification program is helping farmers be good stewards

My family farms just under 1,000 acres near the headwaters of the Minnesota River and the Red River on the continental divide. The view out our window is an expanse of fields and sky that spans for miles. 

Water that comes to our farm through rain and snow eventually ends up in the Minnesota River, flowing into the Mississippi and finally into the Gulf of Mexico. 

We think a lot about how our farm management affects that water, and how to be the best stewards of that resource. That’s why we were eager to meet with our local Agriculture Water Quality Certification specialist, and why we’re proud to be certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program since 2021. 

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Certifiers throughout the state offer knowledgeable advice and assistance to farmers on evidence-based practices that protect water quality.

 A recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor identified areas for improvement within the program and for the Legislature to consider in the next session. Much of the media coverage of the report pointed to concerns around certification contingencies, data collection and impact reporting. I’m supportive of improvements in public programs, and improving and investing in MAWQCP should be a priority for all Minnesotans. 

But we should also consider the positive impacts and outcomes that MAWQCP has had over the past 10 years. On our farm, working with a certifier helped us understand the impact of our previous tillage and nutrient management strategies. Through the certification process, we decided to move our farm to a no-till system. This isn’t just good for water quality — it has also improved the outcomes of our farm and the watershed.

There’s a reason that we, along with over 1,600 other Minnesota farmers, find value in MAWQCP.  Farmers are constantly weighing new research, programs and practices against the realities of their own operations. Having a trusted, science-based resource focused on water quality strengthens that decision-making process.  The certification process includes a whole farm risk assessment, identifying risks to water quality and affirming that approaches already in place are working as intended.  

The program also helps connect farmers with cost-share opportunities and other resources that might otherwise be overlooked. Conservation improvements often require significant investments, and understanding what assistance is available can make the difference between putting off a project and getting it done.

Perhaps just as importantly, the program treats farmers as partners. The conversations start with the assumption that farmers care about their land. Healthy soils, clean water and productive fields are in our own best interest. Our livelihoods depend on them.

The program is the first of its kind in the nation and continues today to be innovative and responsive to farmer needs and environmental concerns. Minnesota has long been a leader in agricultural innovation, and the MAWQCP reflects that tradition. It recognizes that conservation isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist but an ongoing process of learning.

In the end, the greatest strength of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program isn’t the sign at the end of our driveway — though that’s nice too. It’s the relationships, expertise and practical guidance that help farmers improve their operations while protecting Minnesota’s water for future generations.