Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

Transcription

1 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Certifying that Minnesota s farms and waters can prosper together Bill Fitzgerald, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Mark Root, Winona County SWCD

2 Brief Overview Program initiated by MOU signed by Governor Dayton, USDA Secretary Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Created in statute by MN legislature Shaped by an advisory committee comprised of diverse agriculture and conservation representatives Empowered by an executive order signed by Governor Dayton compelling The DNR, BWSR and PCA to abide by the MAWQCP Producer Contract signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture or designee

3 Certification Contract Contract between the state of Minnesota and certified producer Outlines duties a producer must perform to retain certification Defines certainty and grants it to producer Field assessment records attached as appendix to contract

4 What is Certainty? Not an exemption from existing rules and regulations Relevant to all land within an agricultural operation Conditional upon: Implementation of recommended practices Maintenance of practices during certification

5 Pilot Projects Whitewater River Watershed Elm Creek Watershed Middle Sauk River Watershed Whiskey Creek Watershed And now a new regional pilot under development

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7 Certification Process Technical & Financial Assistance Application Assessment Field Verification Certification Contract Auditing

8 MAWQCP Application Initiates the certification process Makes producers eligible for financial assistance funding pools Certifies compliance with existing water quality laws and rules or begins the process of bringing them into compliance

9 Assessment Tool Based on NRCS Ag Water Quality Index Has been undergoing a sensitivity analysis and literature review Being recalibrated with new version online soon Each field is assessed for each crop in a rotation Measures risk to water quality as well as management and mitigation of that risk

10 Assessment Tool Requires preparation and record gathering to accurately complete A knowledgeable certifying agent Communication and cooperation

11 Field Verification

12 Field Verification

13 Field Verification

14 Field Verification

15 Field Verification

16 Technical and Financial Assistance Dedicated EQIP funding pool Clean Water $ s for each pilot for financial assistance Other resources CRP, State Cost Share, CTA etc. Assist producer with conservation practices, nutrient management planning and updates, O&M advice and conservation guidance

17 Certification

18 Audits Tracking of implementation and maintenance of agreed-to items Spot checks of producers to ensure compliance at least once during period of certification Audits of certifying agents

19 Certifying Agents Existing conservation professionals Option for others such as Crop Consultants to offer Certification Licensure utilize existing credentials Training ensure competency outside of core area along with program procedures Audits - quality assurance reviews

20 What MAWQCP Delivers An opportunity for producers to demonstrate, verify and even market their good land stewardship A chance to reach producers that normally don t seek conservation assistance from SWCD/NRCS and establish an ongoing working relationship with them A chance to offer improvements to the good producers For all producers a critical look at their entire operation - conservation planning and technical assistance for the whole farm not the typical piecemeal/bandaid approach

21 THE HOLY GRAIL OF CONSERVATION PLANNING Image: Python (Monty) Pictures & EMI Films

22 MAWQCP How It Happens What It Means MAWQCP Certification

23 Whitewater Pilot Area Whitewater River Watershed 205,000 acres 100+ miles of trout streams HEL soils with karst topography

24 Whitewater Watershed Clean Water Issues

25 Whitewater Watershed Conservation Efforts

26 MAWQCP Certification How Does This All Happen?

27 How Do Farmers/Producers Hear About The Program? Local News Articles Radio Spots Television Announcements Word of Mouth from Peers Referrals from Other Agencies

28 Why Does It Happen? To protect and improve water quality in local lakes, rivers and streams Regulatory certainty Recognition for conservation stewardship Priority access to financial and technical assistance To ensure farm productivity for the next generation Greater stability to plan for and invest in conservation practices To be part of the solution

29 What it Means Certified Farms Receive: Regulatory Certainty Recognition Priority for Technical & Financial Assistance

30 What Is The Farmer s Time Commitment To The Certification Process? Dependent Upon: Number of Tracts Number of Fields Complexity of Rotation Complexity of Nutrient Management Complexity of Pest Management Is Irrigation Involved? Is There Tile Drainage Involved?

31 ANSWER: First Meeting: 1-2 hours Second Meeting: 1 2 Hours Third Meeting: 1 Hour Fourth Meeting: 1 Hour Total: 4 to 6 Hours

32 How it Happens The 12 Step Process To Certification

33 Step 1: MAWQCP Application

34 Step 2: Determine Number & Location Of All Tracts Certification involves all tracts rented and owned Certification includes all tracts within Minnesota All Tracts must meet Certification Standards Print Producer Data Report

35 Step 3: Determine Field Site Characteristics K Factor Soil Erodibility Factor (susceptibility of soil to erosion and the rate of run-off) Organic Matter Hydrologic Soil Group Field Slope

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37 Step 4: Print Preliminary Field Maps

38 Step 5: First Meeting with Producer Discuss Crop Rotations For All Fields Discuss Tillage Operations For All Crops in Rotation Discuss Fertilization Procedures Commercial/Manure Rate, Time and Method of Application Crop Yield Data Soil Test Data Discuss Pesticide Management Basic Pest Control Low Risk Control Basic IPM Low Risk IPM Advanced IPM

39 Step 5: Part II Discuss Irrigation Measures if Applicable Discuss Tile Drainage Measures if Applicable Discuss Existing and Potential Conservation Practices Discuss Water Quality Issues the Producer May Have Discuss Feedlot Issues if Applicable Provide Clarification to Certification Questions

40 Step 6: Enter Data Into Tool

41 Step 7: Analyze Data Review Fields That Do Not Meet Certification Under Current Farm Practices Determine Alternate Scenarios That Meet Certification If Current Farm Practices Are Altered. Reduced Tillage Reduce Fertilizer/Manure Application Rates Alter Timing Of Fertilizer/Manure Application Construction of Conservation Practices

42 Step 8: Second Meeting With Producer Review All Certifications for Accuracy Discuss Options for Fields Not Meeting Certification Determine Solutions the Producer Can Live With Perform Field Verification of Existing Fields and Practices Determine Needs for New Practices and Current Practices Requiring Maintenance Discuss Funding Opportunities : NRCS EQIP /District Cost-Share, etc. Provide Producer With a Copy of the Certification Contract & Current 7020 Rules if They Have Animal Units

43 Step 9: Revise/Update Certifications and Mapping Revise Certifications as Required and Print Prepare Certification Mapping Identify Existing Practices Identify Proposed Practices Identify Areas Requiring Maintenance

44 Final Certification Record

45 Final Certification Map

46 Step 10: Third Meeting with Producer Review Final Documents and Maps Review Contract and Obligations Review NRCS EQIP Funding/Cost Share Process Provide NRCS Contact Information for Technical Assistance Answer Questions and Concerns Set-up Contract Signing Date

47 Step 11: MDA Review Up-Load to MDA Site Characteristics Data Tillage Information and Photos of Equipment Fertilizer/Manure Management Data Pest Management Data Soil Test Data Final Certifications for all Fields Final Certification Maps for all Fields

48 Step 12: Fourth Meeting Sign Contracts

49 Questions?