The information outlined in this website is available for watershed districts to review when updating ten year comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written. The MDA is typically involved in reviewing those plans in the Red River Basin and the twin cities metro area.
The information outlined in this website is available for watershed management organizations when updating comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written.
The information outlined in this website is available for watershed management organizations when updating comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written.
At the beginning of the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan update process, State Agencies, including the MDA are invited to provide input in the form of Priority Concerns to the County. The MDA priority concerns are discussed within this website. The MDA may also comment during plan revisions, amendments, and rewrites.
The information outlined in this website is available for watershed districts to review when updating ten year comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written. The MDA is typically involved in reviewing those plans in the Red River Basin and the twin cities metro area.
The information outlined in this website is available for watershed management organizations when updating comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written.
Priority Concerns, Data, and Program Activities
Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP)
The NFMP is the state's blueprint for preventing or minimizing the impacts of nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater. The original plan was developed in 1990 and recently updated in March 2015. There are various MDA activities that have been identified in the NFMP.
The MDA has identified townships throughout the state that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination and have significant row crop production.
The Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) was developed by the MDA with significant stakeholder engagement over the past several years. The GPR minimizes potential sources of nitrate pollution to the state’s groundwater and protects our drinking water. The rule restricts the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in areas vulnerable to contamination, and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of the problem in areas where nitrate in public water supply wells is already elevated.
As a part of the GPR, the MDA has developed a vulnerable are map which illustrates the areas where the fall and frozen soils prohibition will apply.
Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP)
The NFMP is the state's blueprint for preventing or minimizing the impacts of nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater. The original plan was developed in 1990 and recently updated in March 2015. There are various MDA activities that have been identified in the NFMP.
The MDA has identified townships throughout the state that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination and have significant row crop production.
The Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) was developed by the MDA with significant stakeholder engagement over the past several years. The GPR minimizes potential sources of nitrate pollution to the state’s groundwater and protects our drinking water. The rule restricts the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in areas vulnerable to contamination, and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of the problem in areas where nitrate in public water supply wells is already elevated.
As a part of the GPR, the MDA has developed a vulnerable are map which illustrates the areas where the fall and frozen soils prohibition will apply.
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)
The MAWQCP is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. We encourage you to consider this program in the IWIP process because it is an opportunity for agricultural producers to evaluate nutrient and field management practices to help reduce losses.
The AgBMP Loan Program is a water quality program that provides low interest loans to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. The purpose is to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots, farm fields, and other pollution problems identified by the county in local water plans. Loans can be used as match for other federal or state dollars supporting implementation.
Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI)
The NMI assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own field through the use of on-farm trials. This is a great opportunity to promote new strategies that are available that could improve fertilizer use efficiency, evaluate new ideas or changes to practices, and help open the door to work directly on the farm by including local cooperators in the water quality discussion.
Ag weather and irrigation management resources
The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Wadena SWCD, Pope County SWCD, Benton County SWCD, and Dakota County SWCD to install weather stations across central Minnesota. The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail SWCD to carry out a series of irrigation workshops and programs to promote proper water and nitrogen fertilizer management.
Irrigation Specialist Position
The MDA provides Clean Water Funding to the University of Minnesota to hire an Extension Irrigation Specialist. This position is collaborating with public and private entities to develop and demonstrate tools and technology to protect and conserve groundwater resources.
Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE)
The Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE) matches livestock farmers with crop farmers who have forage (crop residues, cover crops, etc.) to harvest. The MDA partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota to develop this tool.
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)
The MAWQCP is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. We encourage you to consider this program in the IWIP process because it is an opportunity for agricultural producers to evaluate nutrient and field management practices to help reduce losses.
The AgBMP Loan Program is a water quality program that provides low interest loans to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. The purpose is to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots, farm fields, and other pollution problems identified by the county in local water plans. Loans can be used as match for other federal or state dollars supporting implementation.
Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI)
The NMI assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own field through the use of on-farm trials. This is a great opportunity to promote new strategies that are available that could improve fertilizer use efficiency, evaluate new ideas or changes to practices, and help open the door to work directly on the farm by including local cooperators in the water quality discussion.
Ag weather and irrigation management resources
The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Wadena SWCD, Pope County SWCD, Benton County SWCD, and Dakota County SWCD to install weather stations across central Minnesota. The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail SWCD to carry out a series of irrigation workshops and programs to promote proper water and nitrogen fertilizer management.
Irrigation Specialist Position
The MDA provides Clean Water Funding to the University of Minnesota to hire an Extension Irrigation Specialist. This position is collaborating with public and private entities to develop and demonstrate tools and technology to protect and conserve groundwater resources.
Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE)
The Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE) matches livestock farmers with crop farmers who have forage (crop residues, cover crops, etc.) to harvest. The MDA partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota to develop this tool.
Pesticide Water Quality Monitoring
The MDA has been conducting pesticide monitoring in groundwater since 1985, and in surface waters since 1991. The purpose of the MDA’s pesticide monitoring program is to determine the presence and concentration of pesticides in Minnesota waters, and present long-term trend analysis.
Private Well Pesticide Sampling PWPS
The MDA is sampling and evaluating pesticide presence and magnitude in private residential drinking water wells as part of the PWPS.
The MDA surveys farmers’ pesticide and fertilizer use through the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
