MINNESOTA AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (MAWQCP)
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners, who are working on implementing conservation practices that protect Minnesota’s water. Farmers who implement and maintain approved farm management practices are eligible for certification. Certification gives the farmer regulatory certainty for ten years, following certification, and can then be recertified.
Producer Benefits from Certification:
- Certified producers and producers pursuing certification are eligible for priority access to financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices in their operation.
- Certified producers have regulatory certainty; they are presumed to be in compliance with any new water quality rules or laws that may be developed by the state during their certification period.
- Producers receive a $100 incentive payment for completing the assessment, and an additional $200 for becoming certified.
The Certification Process:
The certification process includes an application, whole farm assessment, and field verification. After completing the application, producers will work through a whole farm assessment with a local conservation professional. Lastly, an on-farm field verification will be conducted. Farmers will have to be found in compliance with current laws and rules when the certification agreement is signed.
Additional Endorsements:
Through becoming certified, farmers are eligible to receive additional endorsements for their operations.
- Climate Smart Farm
- Soil Health
- Integrated Pest Management
- Wildlife
- Irrigation Water Management
These endorsements provide further recognition to farmers whose conservation efforts go above and beyond water quality and address other conservation goals as well. Producers who receive the Climate Smart Farm endorsement also will receive a copy of the “Farmers Guide to Carbon Market Contracts in Minnesota” as well as being eligible to receive $1,000 through the MAWQCP Climate Smart Farms Project.
MAWQCP Financial Assistance Grant
Certified farmers and farmers actively pursuing certification are eligible to apply for the MAWQCP Financial Assistance Grant. This grant is given to farmers who are implementing agricultural best management practices and is meant to support farmers in their adoption of these practices. The grant is for up to $5,000 and does not exceed 75% of the cost of practice implementation.
If you are interested in becoming a water quality certified farm, please contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District, Brown SWCD, at 507-794-2553. We will discuss any questions you may have about the program and explain how to proceed with an application.