Alyson Levig

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.