MAWQCP

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.

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.