Alyson Levig

October 30, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Mark, Mike, and Kristine Spadgenske, proud owners of the Spadgenske Dairy Farm, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

September 25, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Angie Litchy, proud owner of The Crafted Orchard & More in Crow Wing County, has recently been water quality certified with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

September 10, 2024 by Alyson Levig

True Vine Specialty Farms, a relatively new elderberry farm operated by Stephanie and Patrick Hockett in Otter Tail County, has joined over 1,400 producers in becoming stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

August 14, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Earl and Coleen Hensel, proud owners of the Earthly Berry Farm in Hubbard County, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The decade-old program is a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. To date, there are over 1,400 certified producers and one million certified acres throughout the entire state.

July 18, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Nestled into the rolling hills of Deer Creek Township in East Otter Tail County lies the Moen homestead, the starting point of a farming operation established in 1951 by Carlton Moen’s father, Luther. Back then, Rock Creek Valley and the surrounding sandy-loam hills fed fifteen head of cattle and taught the Moen family lessons in erosion’s power. As the picturesque hilltops began washing out because of the previous owners’ conventional tillage, Moen’s father switched to contour farming (tilling along the lines of consistent elevation to conserve rainwater and reduce erosion) and was one of the first to do so in the area. The switch deemed the farming operation as the Minneapolis Star Tribune Soil Conservationist winner in 1962.

July 2, 2024 by Alyson Levig

What plant comes to mind when you hear the word ‘weed’? Canadian Thistle? Crown Vetch? Amur Maple? Maybe even Wild Parsnip? Well, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has these, as well as fifty-three other species listed on their official Noxious Weed List under the state’s Noxious Weed Law. The law, whose legal terms can be found in Minnesota Statutes 18.76-18.91, states that landowners are expected to control or eradicate all noxious weeds on their land, using either mechanical, chemical, or biological efforts. Moreover, to comply with this law, individuals need to be continuously controlling the noxious weed populations found on their property.

June 13, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Kyle and Sue Gowin’s farming operation has recently joined over 1,450 producers to become certified as water quality stewards through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This voluntary program verifies farming operations implementing conservation-minded practices resulting in natural resource protection. Today, the decade-old program has confirmed over one million acres across the state working to protect water quality and reduce soil erosion.

April 29, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Last November, father-son duo Mark and Jason Fillbrandt, joined over 1,400 producers in becoming stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This voluntary program through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture certifies farming operations utilizing conservation practices to protect Minnesota’s water resources. Today, the decade-old program has confirmed over one million acres across the state working in conjunction to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality.

April 8, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Hough Farms, proudly operated by brothers Ryan and Michael, joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. The Hough brothers’ farm accompanies over 1,400 producers in Minnesota farming one million certified acres within the program.

March 26, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Two years ago, Glenn Hjelle’s farming operation joined the continuously rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). At the time, the voluntary program that certifies farming operations implementing conservation-minded practices garnered over 950,000 certified acres. Today, that number has risen to over one million along with over 1,400 Minnesota producers—a well-earned milestone for the almost decade-old program.

August 7, 2023 by Alyson Levig

With roughly 11,842 lakes in the state, it’s no wonder Minnesotans spend a lot of their summer free time out on the water. Because of this, individuals have easily and unknowingly spread aquatic invasive species (AIS) when moving their boats and other water-related equipment around to different waterbodies, leading to eight percent of Minnesota’s water becoming impaired with aquatic invasive species.

April 13, 2023 by Alyson Levig

East Otter Tail and Wadena SWCD staff assist farmers with becoming Water Quality Certified.