Tell us about MAWQCP. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is a voluntary, statewide initiative that partners directly with Minnesota farmers to protect and improve water quality. It is a collaborative effort led by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, USDA agencies, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and private farm retailer businesses.
The program evaluates every aspect of a farming operation — nutrient management, tillage, crop rotations, irrigation, erosion risk and more — to identify potential risks to water quality. By becoming certified, producers gain access to technical and financial support, receive recognition of their efforts to protect Minnesota waters, and receive regulatory certainty throughout the duration of their certification agreement.
The program is unique nationwide. While other states have environmental stewardship programs, Minnesota is the only state that provides 10 year regulatory certainty, recognizing farmers who protect water before problems occur. MAWQCP demonstrates that agricultural productivity and water stewardship can and do work hand in hand.
What is your background in water quality? The path that led me to this work started on the eastern Montana farm I grew up on, working with my father and uncle who were constantly seeking opportunities to maximize farm performance with a clear understanding of the need to protect and enhance the health of the land we depend on. That legacy of innovation and resiliency continues on the family farm today through two subsequent generations’ efforts in diversifying crops and continuous improvement in land management.
My professional pathway was through a career in agricultural policy where I worked to support farm bill and other legislation at the federal and state level to enhance opportunity in agriculture and resilience in land management.
How has the MAWQCP made a difference in Minnesota thus far?
— More than a million acres are now MAWQCP certified statewide, representing over
1,700 farms that have voluntarily met or exceeded water quality standards. These acres include row crops, specialty crops, livestock operations and diversified family farms.
— Significant reductions in sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus loss to waterways, increased infiltration and groundwater protection through soil health practices.
— The program provides access to cost share to, for instance, implement cover crops, manure storage upgrades, conservation tillage, feedlot improvements or any other conservation activity. According to Minnesota State Colleges, certified farms also report higher annual profits than uncertified farms.
As of January 2026:
— 1,739 producers certified.
— 1,234,189 acres enrolled.
— 6,239 conservation improvements implemented.
— 59,483 tons of sediment kept out of Minnesota waters annually.
— 166,300 tons of soil retained in fields each year.
— 3,553,268 pounds of nitrogen prevented from entering waterways annually.
— 76,184 pounds of phosphorus prevented from entering waterways annually.
— 740 acres average size of a certified farm.
What are the eligibility guidelines for the MAWQCP? Any farm in Minnesota is eligible —regardless of size, location, commodity or production system. Participation is entirely voluntary, and all that is needed is a willingness to assess where challenges may exist and implement conservation practices or management changes where risks are identified. Enrollment is open year round.
What are some of the benefits to farms that participate in MAWQCP?
— Branding and marketing opportunity to promote farm business as Water Quality Certified.
— Recognition of good conservation practices and land stewardship.
— Technical assistance with farm planning.
— Priority review under the MPCA’s feedlot permitting process.
— Access to financial resources: Non-competitive financial assistance grants of up to $5,000 to implement conservation practices (this is only available to certified producers and producers seeking certification); priority ranking in MDA’s Soil Health Equipment Grant; access to funding through new/upcoming funding sources and programs; $1,000 Climate Smart payment for certified producers who earn the Climate Smart Endorsement; Farm Business Management Program scholarships; and potential financial incentives from local organizations.
— Regulatory certainty: Deemed in compliance with any new water quality rules or laws for the 10-year certification period; an alternative practice for compliance with the Minnesota Buffer Law; and an alternative management tool for compliance with the Minnesota Groundwater Protection Rule.
Are there any legalities farmers should know before enrolling? MAWQCP is voluntary and non punitive. If the assessment identifies an issue or risk, it simply becomes part of the conservation plan — supported by technical and financial assistance, not enforcement.
The program’s most important feature is protection, never regulation. Once certified, farmers receive a 10 year legal guarantee that they meet state water quality standards. This provides predictability, stability and peace of mind — particularly as environmental regulations evolve.
What is the process for becoming certified?
— Application: Contact your area certification specialist or local Soil and Water Conservation District to begin. Contact information for area certification specialists is available at MyLandMyLegacy.com.
— Assessment: Specialists collect information on your fields and practices, including nutrient management, pest management, irrigation and drainage, and tillage. A comprehensive water quality risk assessment is completed. Specialists then help identify ways to reduce risks, with technical and financial assistance available for implementation.
— Certification: Once your farm meets water quality standards, it becomes Water Quality Certified. Certification includes a 10-year contract with the State of Minnesota, ensuring continued operation in a manner that protects water quality. Certification information is updated as land use or farming practices change.
This process is collaborative and flexible. Staff work closely with producers to ensure the plan fits the farm’s goals and timeline.
What are two key takeaways you hope farmers leave with? Certification is a partnership, not a pass/fail test. It recognizes the work farmers already do and helps them build long-term resilience for their land and operation.
Water quality and farm profitability go together. Practices that protect water — like improved nutrient management, soil health, reduced erosion and smarter tillage — also make farms more efficient and sustainable for the next generation.
Any other unique features farmers should know about?
— MAWQCP is one of the only programs in the nation that provides whole farm
certification rather than field by field approvals.
— The program aligns closely with federal conservation programs, helping farmers stack funding and streamline their conservation planning.
— Participants join a statewide network of innovative producers who share ideas and approaches to stewardship.
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