Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
St. Paul Office
520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
651-296-6300 ~ 800-657-3864 The MPCA was established in 1967. Its purpose is to protect Minnesota's environment through monitoring environmental quality and enforcing environmental regulations. Among its responsibilities is administering the livestock feedlot program. The MPCA feedlot program issues feedlot permits, provides technical assistance, and enforces environmental regulations pertaining to feedlots. Area offices are listed below. Regional OfficesBrainerd Office (North Central Region)
1800 College Road South, Baxter, MN 56425
218-828-2492, 800-657-3864, Fax: 218-828-2594 Detroit Lakes Office (Northwest Region)
714 Lake Avenue, Suite 220, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218-847-1519, 800-657-3864, Fax: 218-846-0719 Duluth Office (Northeast Region)
525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400, Duluth, MN 55802
218-723-4660, 800-657-3864, Fax: 218-723-4727 Mankato Office (Southeast Region)
12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165, Mankato, MN 56001
507-389-5235, Fax: 507-389-5422 Marshall Office (Southwest Region)
1420 College Drive East, Suite 900, Marshall, MN 56258
507-537-7146, 800-657-3864, Fax: 507-537-6001 Rochester Office (Southeast Region)
18 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
507-285-7343, 800-657-3864, Fax: 507-280-5513 Willmar Office (Southwest Region)
1601 Highway 12 East Suite 1, Willmar, MN 56201-6002
320-214-3786, 800-657-3864, Fax: 320-214-3787
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
651-201-6000, 800-967-2474 ~ MDA.Info@state.mn.us It is the mission of the department to work toward a diverse agricultural industry that is profitable as well as environmentally sound; to protect the public health and safety with regard to food and agricultural products; and to ensure orderly commerce in agricultural food and products. Dairy Development & Profitability Enhancement Grant Program
651-201-6646 This program centers itself around working with producers and local professionals to eliminate the bottlenecks on their operations that are limiting their potential for profitability. Grants are provided to non-profit organizations to help producers adopt new technology, implement a management change, or get additional educational training suggested by the local professionals (advisory team). This program also includes business planning and modernization activity assistance. This program provides assistance to producers and processors who have an interest in reinvesting in Minnesota's animal agriculture industry. The program provides leadership in livestock development; assistance with county, state, and federal regulations; legislative and agency connections; feedlot issues; business structures; business plans; farm alliances; retention of animal agriculture market share; and value added ventures. Ag Marketing & Development Division
651-201-6012 The division supports the growth and development of Minnesota agriculture through activities which facilitate agricultural planning, producer consultation, research and development, and the transfer of technology necessary for Minnesota producers to compete globally now and in the future. Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program
651-201-6618 The Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMP) Loan Program provides low interest loans to achieve agriculturally related water and air quality goals defined in county water plans, including feedlot improvements. The Finance & Budget Division has responsibility for the program. Landowners access the program through their Local Government Units LGUs). The LGUs identify projects and assist landowner implementation. Local financial institutions evaluate creditworthiness of practices, issue and service loans. Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Grant & Loan Programs
651-201-6012 The division provides grants and loans on a competitive basis to support the transition to and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. Sustainable Agriculture Grants are intended for on-farm demonstration projects such as management intensive grazing and other livestock production systems, diversification, on-farm energy production, fruit and vegetable systems, marketing, cover crops and tillage, and other topics. Sustainable Agriculture Loans are made for up to $25,000 at 3% interest and are made for purchasing equipment and making building modifications.
Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee (FMMAC) Minnesota Department of Agriculture
651-201-6012 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
651-297-8512 In conjunction with the MPCA, the Ag Marketing & Development Division provided support to the Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee (FMMAC), which was created to identify needs, goals, and suggest policies for research, monitoring, and regulatory activities regarding feedlot and manure management. The committee includes representatives from livestock producer organizations; environmental organizations; livestock producers; experts in soil and water science; nutrient management and animal husbandry; a commercial solid manure applicator and a commercial liquid manure applicator who are not producers; a member representing local units of government; and chairs of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives committees that deal with agricultural policy or the designees of the chairs. In addition, the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Natural Resources, Pollution Control, Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and water conservation districts, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Association of Minnesota Counties serve on the committee as ex-officio nonvoting members.
Dairy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Minnesota Department of Agriculture
651-201-6012 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
651-296-6300, 800-657-3864 The MDA and the MPCA signed an agreement on February 21, 2001 that will make it easier for the State to get information to dairy farmers about Minnesota's new 7020 Feedlot Rules and other environmental regulations. MDA dairy inspectors currently visit farms annually to monitor compliance with state laws related to milk production, while the MPCA, along with county feedlot officials (CFO's) in over 50 counties which have signed delegation agreements with MPCA, is responsible for monitoring farmers' compliance with environmental laws. The idea behind the agencies' memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to take advantage of the established relationships between MDA's dairy inspectors and farmers to help educate producers about the new feedlot rules and available technical and financial assistance. Dairy inspectors will assist farmers in understanding the feedlot rules and provide them with information on resources for technical and financial assistance. The dairy inspectors and other MDA staff will work with MPCA and delegated county feedlot staff, soil and water conservation districts and other local partners. The MOU will be in effect for three years. Prior to expiration of the MOU, the agencies will discuss the potential for MDA dairy inspectors to undertake inspection and enforcement functions under an extension of the MOU. Feedback from the dairy industry, SWCDs, and county officials will be sought during those discussions.
Finance & Budget Division / Agricultural Finance Section
651-201-6556 It is the mission of the division to administer Rural Finance Authority (RFA) loan programs and monitor compliance with the corporate and alien farm laws. RFA loan programs are designed to develop the state's agricultural resources by offering affordable financing to farmers and rural businesses. The RFA administers several loan programs that provide financial assistance to farmers and agricultural businesses. See the Agricultural Finance/RFA web site for a list and specific details of the loan programs.
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division
651-201-6121 This division serves and protects the citizens of Minnesota and the agricultural industry, environment, and economy through education, technical assistance, certification, and regulation. This is accomplished through comprehensive regulatory and non-regulatory programs for pesticides, fertilizer, manure applicator certification, and manure best management practices (BMP) development. Other Division Phone Numbers Manure and Soil Testing Certification 651-201-6642
Manure Management Information 651-201-6642
Nitrate Testing for Wells 651-201-6562
Nitrogen and BMP Information 651-201-6178
Dairy & Food Inspection Division
651-201-6027 The division works with the regulated industry and other stakeholders to ensure the safe production, processing, packaging, labeling, transportation, and sale of dairy, food, and meat products using effective and efficient regulatory programs, partnerships, and agreements that streamline or multiply efforts, and the best use of information technology. A major responsibility is the inspection and licensing of dairy farms. The primary contact for dairy producers is their dairy inspector. Dairy inspector offices are located throughout the state. Other Division Phone Numbers Northern Dairy Supervisor 218-744-3335
Southern Dairy Supervisor 507-835-4828
Dairy and Food Inspection Office 651-201-6027
Board of Animal Health
625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
651-296-2942, Fax: 651-296-7417 The Board of Animal Health is an independent state agency created to protect, maintain, and improve the health of the state's domestic animals. In carrying out its mission, the Board is able to protect the public health and to provide an abundant and wholesome food supply to the consumers of Minnesota.
Board of Soil and Water Resources
St. Paul Central Office
520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3767, Fax: 651-297-5615 The Board of Water and Soil Resources works with local units of government and landowners to ensure proper management of water and soil resources. The primary clientele of BWSR include soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), watershed districts, and other local water management organizations. BWSR administers a number of statewide conservation programs including the state cost share program, which includes funding earmarked for feedlots; Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve and Permanent Wetlands Preserves conservation easement programs; comprehensive local water planning; and the Wetland Conservation Act. BWSR helps train SWCDs to provide technical assistance for feedlot manure management, system design, and construction. The regional offices are listed below. BWSR-Bemidji
701 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 234, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-755-4235, Fax: 218-755-4201 BWSR-Brainerd
1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-2383, Fax: 218-828-6036 BWSR-Duluth
394 Lake Avenue South, Room 403, Duluth, MN 55802
218-723-4752, Fax: 218-723-4794 BWSR-Fergus Falls
1004 Frontier Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
218-736-5445, Fax: 218-736-7215 BWSR-Marshall
1400 Lyon Street East, Box 267, Marshall, MN 56258
507-537-6060, Fax: 507-537-6368 BWSR-Mankato
1160 Victory Drive South, Suite 5, Mankato, MN 56001
507-389-1967, Fax: 507-389-6093 BWSR-New Ulm
261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, MN 56073
507-359-6074, Fax: 507-359-6018 BWSR-Rochester
2300 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester, MN 55906
507-280-2874, Fax: 507-285-7144
Environmental Quality Board (EQB)
658 Cedar Street, Room 300, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-201-2476 Environmental Review Staff
651-201-2477 The Environmental Quality Board at Minnesota Planning consists of five citizens and the heads of 10 state agencies that play vital roles in Minnesota's environment and development. The Board develops policy, creates long-range plans, and reviews proposed projects that would significantly influence Minnesota's environment. Additionally, the EQB is responsible for Minnesota's Environmental Review Program and preparation of the Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Animal Agriculture. For expansion and new construction of feedlots over certain size thresholds, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or counties, must examine the impacts of those projects before they issue permits. This process of "environmental review" involves preparation and circulation of a document—usually an "environmental assessment worksheet"—by the permitting agency, based upon environmental information submitted by the producer. EQB staff administers the overall statewide program and can answer questions about the environmental review process. In 1998, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the EQB to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Animal Agriculture. This study, scheduled for completion in December of 2001, was developed to be a comprehensive examination of the relationship of animal agriculture to Minnesota's environment. A Citizens Advisory Committee to the EQB is worked with EQB staff to develop this study.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Waters Division
500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
651-296-6157 ~ 888-MINNDNR The DNR is the state agency responsible for the protection and use of Minnesota's natural resources. The DNR commissioner has authority over public lands, state parks, timber, waters, minerals, and wildlife of the state, and their use, sale, leasing, or other disposition. In regard to feedlots, the DNR is responsible for responding to citizen complaints about threats to water quality and other resources from animal wastes. The DNR is also responsible for issuing water permits. | 
