Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Brad Redlin Minnesota Department of Agriculture

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1 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Brad Redlin Minnesota Department of Agriculture

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

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

4 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

5 In practice, Certainty means Certified farms considered to be meeting their contributions to any targeted reductions of pollutants 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

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

7 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).

8 Pilot Projects Will provide sample conditions of production systems, practice implementation, and other factors including emphasis on replication of successful MAWQCP implementation and operation locally. Will be representative of the local diversity of agriculture (predominant land use types, crops, livestock, water quality goals and resource concerns). Will produce measurement metrics to establish the qualities needed for a successful program. May receive dedicated resources in the form of cost-share contract opportunities for individual producers, and technical assistance financial support for conservation consultation providers.

9 Listening Sessions Which of the following categories best represents your interest in the MN Ag. Water Quality Certification Program? Responses Percent Farmer 28% Agricultural Organization 6% Agricultural Business 17% Agricultural Landowner 2% Conservationist 9% Environmentalist 6% Educator 5% Local, State or Federal Government 25% Citizen 2% Totals 100% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 28% 25% 17% 9% 6% 6% 5% 2% 2%

10 All Attendees Which incentives would most influence producers to join this program? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being most influential. Responses Percent Public recognition for protecting water quality 8% 25% 20% 22% 25% Regulatory Certainty 22% Priority for technical assistance to implement practices 15% Priority for financial assistance to implement practices 25% Streamlined process for existing regulatory requirements 17% Added value for marketing of certified crops 13% Totals 100% 15% 10% 5% 0% 8% % % 5 13% 6

11 Farmers Which incentives would most influence producers to join this program? Please rank your top 3 choices with 1 being most influential. Responses Percent Public recognition for protecting water quality 9% Regulatory Certainty 20% Priority for technical assistance to implement practices 16% Priority for financial assistance to implement practices 24% Streamlined process for existing regulatory requirements 19% Added value for marketing of certified crops 12% Totals 100% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 9% 1 20% 2 16% 3 24% 4 19% 5 12% 6

12 All Attendees If one of the three pilots was in your area, how likely would you be to participate? Responses Percent 40% 35% 30% 37% Very likely 23% Somewhat likely 20% Need more information 37% Not likely 10% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 23% 20% 10% 11% I would not participate in this program. 11% Totals 100% 0%

13 Farmers If one of the three pilots was in your area, how likely would you be to participate? Percent 40% 35% 36% Very likely 18% Somewhat likely 24% 30% 25% 20% 18% 24% Need more information 36% Not likely 9% I would not participate in this program. 13% Totals 100% 15% 10% 5% 0% % 4 13% 5

14 More information, questions, suggestions Brad Redlin, Certification Program Manager Minnesota Department of Agriculture