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MAWQCP
Water quality through responsible farm management
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program:
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years.
Through this program, certified producers receive:
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Regulatory certainty: certified producers are deemed to be in compliance with any new water quality rules or laws during the period of certification
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Recognition: certified producers may use their status to promote their business as protective of water quality
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Priority for technical assistance: producers seeking certification can obtain specially designated technical and financial assistance to implement practices that promote water quality
Through this program, the public receives:
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Assurance that certified producers are using conservation practices to protect Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams
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This is a program available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) with assistance from Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state. The Stearns County SWCD is taking applications on an continual basis for enrollment into MAWQCP. Each producer that signs up works one-on-one with one of our certification specialists. The program provides a review of each field. The information gained in the process can aid producers in making important management decisions.
The MAWQCP is funded by the Clean Water Fund, which is derived from one-third of the additional sales tax authorized by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesota voters in 2008. The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
The Stearns Conservation District can answer any questions you have about MAWQCP, if you have questions or are interested in pursuing certification call 320-251.7800 ext.3 or stop in our office from 8:00am to 4:30pm to talk to a SCD Conservation Planner!
