MAWQCP

December 12, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Lance and Robyn Bragstad, proud owners of the Brakstad Family Farm, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

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.

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.

June 12, 2023 by MAWQCP

Underneath a canopy of aged hardwoods north of Crosby lies 10.5 acres of land dedicated to growing fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms for the local community. The operation is run by Derrick Justin, who recently became water quality certified through the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), on May 4, 2023. The program itself is voluntary and certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality.

May 23, 2023 by MAWQCP

Jason Teiken 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.

May 19, 2023 by MAWQCP

Bob Keranen’s grass-fed cattle farm 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. Keranen’s 320 acres of pastureland achieved water quality certification in April of 2022, accompanying over 1,300 producers in Minnesota farming more than 950,000 certified acres within the program.

April 24, 2023 by MAWQCP

Four Hill Farms Inc., proudly operated by Nathan and Jacob Thompson, has recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

April 13, 2023 by Alyson Levig

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

July 6, 2020 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Arlin Wanderi!  His farms are now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  

June 23, 2020 by MAWQCP

Babe Winkelman’s name is often recognized for his hunting and fishing adventures.  Now the Winkelman Farm is being recognized for achieving Water Quality Certification in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  And Babe Winkelman is the first to say that all of the conservation stewardship efforts on their farm have been a ‘family project’.

March 23, 2020 by Jim Lahn

Last year I gave a presentation on the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) at a meeting of the Central Minnesota Irrigator’s Corporation (CMIC).  This meeting was held in Wadena, and the farmers in attendance utilize irrigation in their farming operations and come from the surrounding area.

February 18, 2020 by MAWQCP

Wayne Enger, board member of the EOT SWCD, recently became a Water Quality Certified Farm through Minnesota's Ag Water Quality Certification Program. 

October 31, 2019 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Bruce and Carol Albright – their farm is now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)!  The Albrights received their Water Quality Certified Farm sign on a snowy Friday in October.

September 20, 2019 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Terry Greenwaldt and to his son, Jason Greenwaldt! Because of their decisions to practice conservation on their land, the Greenwaldt farms are now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

April 23, 2019 by MAWQCP

Bryce Blickenstaff’s farming operation is now Water Quality Certified! Bryce received his Water Quality Certified Farm sign on April 23, 2019. 

Bryce’s farming operation is located north of New York Mills and involves corn, wheat, alfalfa, dairy cows, and turkey barns.

November 6, 2018 by MAWQCP

Two new Water Quality Certified farms in Otter Tail County come from a family effort.