Lewiston, Minn. – Clean water is important to all Minnesotans, especially farmers.

There is a new, voluntary program in Minnesota that recognizes and rewards farmers for leading by example. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program began in four pilot sub-watersheds and recently became available to farmers statewide.

The program is an opportunity for farmers to gauge their progress in protecting water quality on their land—trained conservation specialists work with farmers to identify risks to water quality on a crop by crop, field by field basis. Farmers who pursue certification are eligible for priority on-farm financial and technical assistance to treat any risks to water quality found on their farm.

Farmers and landowners who implement and maintain approved farm management practices are certified and are deemed to be following all new water quality rules and laws for 10 years. Certified farmers also receive field signs to show their friends and neighbors how they’re caring for Minnesota’s waters and can use their certified status in their marketing efforts.

“The strength of this program is the fact that it’s tailored to each farmer’s individual operation. This program can help everyone from a small hobby farmer to an organic farmer to a conventional crop or dairy farmer make improvements that will benefit our waters,” said Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), District Manager; Daryl Buck.

Local conservation professionals are currently working with several hundred farms seeking certification from across the state.

To date (6/3/2016) the program has certified 173 farms, covering more than 92,500 acres, and generating 339 new conservation practices.

It’s easy to get started; farmers interested in seeking certification should contact Winona County SWCD at 507-523-2171 extension 3, or go to www.mylandmylegacy.com to learn more.