Protecting Minnesota’s water resources takes more than good intentions — it requires practical tools and support. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) provides farmers and landowners with the resources they need to put conservation into action.
Available Assistance
Certified producers may be eligible for resources designed to reduce costs and encourage conservation:
- Cost-share opportunities to offset expenses when adopting new practices
- Grants and incentives that provide direct financial support for conservation measures
Together, these tools ensure certification is both environmentally beneficial and financially sustainable.
Producers also can access local, state, and federal funding opportunities beyond MAWQCP. Area certification specialists can help identify these opportunities and assist with applications.
The Value of Assistance
Financial support makes a measurable difference. By lowering upfront costs and offering flexible financing, assistance helps more producers invest in practices that:
- Improve soil health
- Reduce runoff
- Protect water quality
These improvements have the added benefit of strengthening farm operations. Research from Minnesota state colleges found that certified farms earn an average of $29,000 more in income each year.
A Partnership for Success
Financial assistance is more than funding — it represents a partnership between producers and the state to ensure conservation practices are practical, effective, and lasting. By combining recognition, regulatory certainty, and financial support, MAWQCP makes certification a smart investment for Minnesota farmers and landowners.
With financial support, practical tools, and strong partnerships, MAWQCP makes conservation both achievable and rewarding.
Financial Resources
MAWQCP Climate Smart Farms Endorsement
The Climate Smart Farm Endorsement recognizes producers who incorporate approved climate-based practices into their systems.
- Endorsed producers receive the Farmers’ Guide to Carbon Market Contracts in Minnesota, published by the Minnesota Farmers Union in partnership with Farmers’ Legal Action Group and MAWQCP.
- A $1,000 payment supports producers as they explore evolving climate marketplaces and public programs.
- To apply, contact your area certification specialist.
MAWQCP Financial Assistance Grant
Producers undergoing certification have priority access to financial assistance for implementing approved conservation practices.
- Provides up to $5,000 for adopting agricultural best management practices
- Covers up to 75% of implementation costs after other public funds are applied
- Available to producers who are certified or actively pursuing certification
- Applications accepted year-round; awards made on a first-come basis until funds are depleted
- Apply through your local area certification specialist or online
MAWQCP Farm Business Management Scholarship
The Farm Business Management Program (FBM) helps farm owners and operators meet business and personal goals through one-on-one, student-led instruction.
- Scholarships support certified producers enrolled in FBM, providing training in strategies that foster profitable and competitive operations
- Recipients must complete a farm financial analysis with their FBM instructor
- Scholarship amounts:
- $165 per credit (≈75% tuition) for new FBM students in their first or second semester
- $110 per credit (≈50% tuition) for returning students in their third semester or beyond
- Classes available through state technical colleges, individual instructors, and nonprofit organizations
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; awards made on a first-come basis until funds are expended
- Apply by working with your FBM instructor to complete the scholarship application
Private Well Testing
While MAWQCP does not provide funding for private well testing, we connect producers to resources that ensure water safety.
Available resources include:
- The Minnesota Department of Health:
Guidance on how and where to test private wells - Tap In - Safe Drinking Water for SE MN: Free testing for private well users in southeast Minnesota (first-come basis while funding lasts)
- Dakota County: Free testing for private well users within the county, with grant eligibility information available online
- The Minnesota Well Owners Organization: Well testing clinics across the state
This list of resources was last updated in December 2025.
