Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) President Bob Worth is the latest farmer to enroll in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). On Aug. 22 at his family farm in Lake Benton, Worth will welcome Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Rep. Michelle Fischbach, Minnesota State Sen. Bill Weber and assorted officials for an event that highlights the stewardship of Minnesota farmers.

“I’m eager to highlight the practices we use on our farm that help protect our land for generations to come,” said Worth, who farms with his son, Jon and wife, Gail. “This is a great program that MSGA proudly endorses, and I’m honored to host the Department of Agriculture and legislative leaders.”

The MAWQCP, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), connects growers with local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate any risks their farm poses to water quality on a field-by-field basis. Producers going through the certification process have priority access to financial assistance. After being certified, each farm is deemed in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years, along with an official MAWQCP sign to display on their farm and other benefits developed by local MAWQCP providers.

The program launched in 2016 with the advocacy support of commodity groups like MSGA. Since then, 1,360 farms totaling 990,000 acres have been certified across Minnesota. Farms have added over 2,623 new conservation practices, which protect Minnesota’s waters. Those new practices help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 50,000 metric tons each year.

“This program works on every level,” Gov. Tim Walz said, “and it works because producers are at the center of it, producers help write it and producers help execute it.” 

MDA is expected to celebrate its millionth enrolled acre by the end of 2023.