Certify Your Farm

Clean water is essential to Minnesota’s families, farms, and future. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) gives farmers and landowners a clear way to demonstrate their commitment to conservation while strengthening their operations. By certifying, producers join a statewide effort to protect rivers, lakes, and drinking water — and in return receive recognition, regulatory certainty, and practical support for long-term success.

From left to right: Sheila Boldt, Crow Wing SWCD; Steve Wentworth Sr; Steve Wentworth Jr; Jim Lahn, MAWQCP Area Certification Specialist; Brian Steffen, NRCS.

How to Get Certified

The certification process is straightforward and designed to support producers every step of the way:

1. Application
   • Contact your area certification specialist or local soil and water conservation district to begin.
   • Contact information for area certification specialists is available at MyLandMyLegacy.com.
2. Assessment
   • Specialists collect information on your fields and practices, including nutrient management, pest management, irrigation and drainage, and tillage.
   • A comprehensive water quality risk assessment is completed.
   • Specialists then help identify ways to reduce risks, with technical and financial assistance available for implementation.
3. Certification
   • Once your farm meets water quality standards, it becomes Water Quality Certified.
   • Certification includes a 10-year contract with the State of Minnesota, ensuring continued operation in a manner that protects water quality.
   • Certification information is updated as land use or farming practices change.

Endorsements

Go beyond certification with MAWQCP Endorsements, which highlight excellence in specific areas:

• Climate-Smart Farming
• Soil Health
• Integrated Pest Management
• Wildlife Habitat
• Irrigation Water Management

Endorsements provide additional recognition and, in some cases, financial incentives.

Take the Next Step

Certification is a practical way to:

• Protect water quality
• Strengthen your farm
• Gain recognition for leadership in conservation

By certifying, you join a growing network of Minnesota producers who are leaving a legacy of stewardship for future generations.

Start your certification journey today — and help build a cleaner, stronger Minnesota.

MAWQCP Area Certification Specialists

Contact information for area certification specialists is available to help you begin the process. Use map (below) to identify your region and certifier. Regions are outlined by color.

Minnesota by Certification Regions
 

View larger map

Map loads slowly. Please refresh your page if regions do not populate after a few minutes.