Minnesota Agricultural Water. Watershed Solutions Summit

Transcription

1 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Watershed Solutions Summit February 23, 2013

2 Listening Sessions We want YOUR input on the Minnesota We want YOUR input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

3 How to use the clickers Records only your last response Multiple choice and ranking questions If we ve missed something, please write it down! We want your initial reaction, don t worry about being right

4 Which of the following categories best represents your interest t in the MN Ag. Water Quality Certification Program? A. Farmer B. Agricultural Organization C. Agricultural Business D. Agricultural Landowner E. Conservationist F. Environmentalist G. Educator H. Local, State or Federal Government I. Citizen 28% 15% 8% 2% 0% 0% 0% Farmer Agricultural Organization Agricultural Business Agricultural Landowner Conservationist Environmentalist Educator Local, State te or Federal G... 30% 17% Citizen

5 The Vision Develop a voluntary program to enhance water quality Maintains farm profitability and enhances water quality across the state Recognize Farmers who are doing a good job Provide certainty and assurance to the public that we re enhancing water quality P id t i t t f th t tt i d Provide certainty to farmers that attain and maintain certification criteria

6 Memorandum of Understanding Signed by Governor Dayton, Secretary Vilsack and Administrator Lisa Jackson on January 17,

7 What does the MOU say? Support for a voluntary program Establish a MAWQCP Advisory Committee Provide recognition and certainty to producers and the public Coordinate and prioritize i i funding

8 Project Timeline March 5, 2012 Official announcement of MAWQCP Advisory Committee in State Register March 20, 2012 NRCS Minnesota State Technical Committee develops subcommittee on certification in relation to fed/state conservation delivery systems May 31, 2012 Advisory Committee member appointments announced June 27, 2012 Subcommittee on Certification of the NRCS Minnesota State Technical Committee provides initial recommendations for the MAWQCP Advisory Committee July 9, 2012 Advisory Committee begins meeting (additional meeting dates of July 30, August 20 21, September 10, October 29, and November 13 14) November 14, 2012 Advisory Committee input submitted to Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture 2013 MAWQCP implementation begins

9 MAWQCP Advisory Committee Recommendations developed by a diverse committee have been received by MDA Commissioner Frederickson

10 MAWQCP Advisory Committee The committee submitted a series of recommendations presented in seven position papers: Pilot projects Program operations Program measurement tool Program data management Program certainty Program incentives Program promotion Assessment A question and answer tool is used to measure the operation. Assessment may be selfadministered or with assistance from accredited MAWQCP reps. Program operations Technical Assistance If the tool shows certification criterion not met, producers may access technical and financial assistance for meeting all certification criteria. Certification Certification is determined by an MDA accredited certifier. Certifier can not have a conflict of interest with the producer. Verification Audits periodically conducted by MDA to verify certified farms. Regular audits by the MDA of accredited certifiers to verify performance. Recertification Upon conclusion of the term for which certification has been awarded, the operator may re certify (but will need to meet any new assessment elements that may have been added since the prior certification).

11 Program Operations Recertification Assessment A question and answer tool is used to measure the operation. Assessment may be self administered or with assistance from accredited MAWQCP reps. Technical Assistance If the tool shows certification criterion not met, producers may access technical and financial assistance for meeting all certification criteria. Certification Certification is determined by an MDA accredited certifier. Certifier can not have a conflict of interest with the producer. Verification Audits periodically conducted by MDA to verify certified farms. Regular audits by the MDA of accredited certifiers to verify performance. Upon conclusion of the term for which certification has been awarded, the operator may re certify (but will need to meet any new assessment elements that may have been added since the prior certification).

12 What is Certainty? Offered by executive branch of Minnesota state government Not an exemption from existing rules and regulations Relevant to the land within an agricultural operation Applies only to ag land management and practices that could affect water quality Conditional upon: Implementation of recommended practices Maintenance of practices during certification

13 In practice, Certainty means No new state water quality regulations applied to certified farms during period of certification Certified farms considered to be meeting their contributions tib ti to any targeted t reductions of pollutants t during the period of their certification Certified farmers recognized as responsible protective stewards of their land and water quality Assurance that certified farmers are doing their part to avoid water quality impacts from their farming operations

14 Next Steps Commissioner Frederickson will review the Advisory Committee recommendations, the discussion from listening sessions, and any additional public input submitted to the MDA. There will be an opportunity for public review and comment on final program details. MAWQCP will be piloted in three locations and reviewed before expanding statewide.

15 Thank you for your input! Visit our website to: Sign up for MAWQCP updates Submit further program input

16 There is value in recognizing agricultural operations that adopt best management practices and install conservation practices that protect water quality. A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Neutral D. Disagree 49% 37% 11% E. Strongly Disagree 3% 0% Strongly y Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

17 Landowners want tenants that adopt best management practices and install conservation practices that protect water quality. A. Strongly gyagree B. Agree C. Neutral D. Disagree E. Strongly Disagree 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Strongly y Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

18 Agricultural buyers, processors and marketers see value in agricultural commodities and products from operations that adopt best management practices and install conservation practices that protect water quality. 100% A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Neutral D. Disagree E. Strongly Disagree 0% 0% 0% 0% Strongly y Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

19 Consumers will be willing to pay more for products from farm operations that are recognized as protecting water quality. A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Neutral D. Disagree E. Strongly Disagree 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Strongly y Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

20 Which aspects would most influence producers to join this program? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being most influential. A. Conservation and land stewardship is a priority B. Local watershed is impaired C. Potential for increasing regulations for farmers D. Ability to publicly demonstrate their farm operation protects water E. Peer pressure, role in community 26% 23% 19% 17% 15% A. B. C. D. E.

21 Which incentives would most influence producers to join this program? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being most influential. A. Public recognition for 27% protecting water quality B. Regulatory Certainty 23% C. Priority for technical assistance to implement practices 16% 15% D. Priority for financial assistance to implement practices 11% 9% E. Streamlined process for existing regulatory requirements F. Added value for marketing of certified crops A. B. C. D. E. F.

22 Which parts of the program do you support the most? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being most support. A. Farm/site specific assessment of farm operations B. Regulatory certainty for farm operation C. Public recognition of farm operation as protecting water quality D. Certification is recognized by all state and federal agencies E. Voluntary participation F. Water quality conservation education and assistance opportunities 29% 26% 16% 13% 10% 7% A. B. C. D. E. F.

23 What do you see as the largest barrier to producers entering this program? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being the largest barrier. 30% 30% A. Perceived time or financial expense B. Lease provisions, landlord expectations C. Conservation practices affecting production, yield 8% D. Access to information E. Just not interested in participating 7% 25% A. B. C. D. E.

24 What source do you primarily use to get information on agricultural conservation practices and management? A. Local Soil and Water Conservation District B. Local NRCS Field Staff C. Certified Crop Advisor D. University of Minnesota Extension E. MN Dept. of Ag F. Other 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% A. B. C. D. E. F.

25 If one of the three pilots was in your area, how likely would you be to participate? A. Very likely B. Somewhat likely C. Need more information ato D. Not likely E. I would not participate in this program. 35% 33% 13% 13% 7% Very likely Somewhat likely Need more information Not likely I would not participate in...

26 How would you like to get information about this program? A. Newsletter/mailing B. notifications C. Regional meetings D. Website E. Social media 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Newsletter/ r/mailing notif ifications Regional meetings Website Socia ial media