The Commissioner of Agriculture oversees the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) in consultation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. State statute specifies the commissioner will also consult with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Advisory Committee in carrying out this responsibility.
Committee members are asked to provide comments and recommendations in an advisory capacity to the commissioner on the advancement of the MAWQCP, the achievement of its goals, and the betterment of Minnesota's water quality and its agricultural industry.
Charge to the Advisory Committee
The charge for the 2024-2026 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) Advisory Committee is to provide Commissioner Petersen and MAWQCP program staff with strategic advice and recommendations for growing the MAWQCP to serve farmers and ranchers, the agricultural industry, and the nation's water resources. Committee members, as sought and selected to serve on the 2024-2026 MAWQCP Advisory Committee, shall apply their experience and expertise to identify:
- Means to integrate and align the MAWQCP in support and advancement of private and public sector sustainability goals and initiatives;
- Means to further develop the value proposition and increase the return on investment for certified producers;
- Means to promote participation via new mechanisms and among communities and growers not engaged through current program delivery operations.
Minutes from the meetings of the MAWQCP Advisory Committee are public information. To request copies of the minutes or obtain information about the next scheduled meeting contact Megan Moland at megan.moland@state.mn.us.
Next Meeting of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) Advisory Committee:
The next advisory committee meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2025. The meeting will be held at Redhead Creamery, 31535 463rd Ave, Brooten, MN 56316, from 10am-3pm. If interested in attending, please email Megan Moland, megan.moland@state.mn.us.
Advisory Committee Members
The members of the 2024-2026 MAWQCP Advisory Committee are:
| Name | Organization | Certification Status |
| Anne Schwagerl | Minnesota Farmers Union | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Ariel Kagan | Minnesota Farmers Union | |
| Bryan Biegler | Minnesota Corn Growers Association | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Dennis Fuchs | Stearns County SWCD | |
| Eric Sannerud | MAWQCP Certified Producer | |
| Joe Smentek | Minnesota Soybean Growers Association | |
| John Beaton | Fairhaven Farm | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Leif Fixen | The Nature Conservancy | |
| Lucas Sjostrom | Minnesota Milk Producers Association | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Nathan Collins | Minnesota Farm Bureau | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Spencer Herbert | CIBO Technologies | |
| Steve Peterson | retired - General Mills, HASP co-chair | MAWQCP Certified Producer |
| Tom Raymond | Hormel Foods | |
| Trent Wimmer | Syngenta | |
| Whitney Place | University of Minnesota Extension |
