Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Crookston listening session to focus on new ag water quality program

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in Crookston, Minnesota, on Thursday, February 21, to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. The new program has been in development over the past year and is designed to accelerate voluntary adoption of on-farm conservation practices that protect Minnesota’s water resources. Farmers who implement and maintain approved conservation plans will be certified and in turn assured that their operation meets water quality goals and standards for a set period of time.

MDA officials are seeking feedback on the program prior to its implementation. Farmers and rural landowners in the northwest region of the state are encouraged to attend the session, Thursday, February 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Crookston Ballroom.

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is the result of a state-federal partnership that includes the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).