This column by MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen first ran in the March-April 2026 issue of Soybean Business. Click here to read the digital issue. 

Minnesota’s farmers have a long history of caring for their land and water. That commitment shows up in the way you manage your fields, plan for changing weather and make decisions that keep your operations strong for generations. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) works to support that stewardship with practical, science-based Best Management Practices (BMPs). These recommendations outline proven approaches for applying fertilizer and pesticides in ways that protect water quality, reduce input losses and support long term soil health. They are voluntary tools that help farmers manage risk and make efficient, informed decisions. Developing BMPs is a careful process that blends current research with the practical experience of farmers, crop advisors and commodity groups to ensure that guidance fits real-world conditions.

Our agronomists and water quality specialists review research from the University of Minnesota, federal agencies and other trusted sources. They look at how nutrients and pesticides move in different soils, how weather affects application decisions and which practices consistently reduce losses to groundwater and surface water. That scientific foundation helps us see how practices hold up in the field. Minnesota’s landscape is diverse, and what works in one region may not work in another. That’s why the MDA also considers farmer input as essential to the process. Through on-farm trials and demonstrations, conversations, field visits and advisory meetings, producers help us understand what is workable, cost-effective and realistic. BMPs matter because they give farmers a practical way to manage risk. They help keep nutrients where they belong, limit the chance of pesticides moving offsite and protect drinking water sources. They also offer a steady framework for making decisions in a changing climate. But guidance only works when farmers have tools to put it into practice, and that’s where the MDA’s programs make a difference. This includes:

• The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, which recognizes farmers using conservation practices and gives others a clearpath to make improvements.

• The Minnesota Ag Weather Network, which provides real time weather and soil information to support sound fertilizer application and water use decisions throughout the season.

We also know that adopting practices often requires new equipment or infrastructure. MDA’s AgBMP Loan Program helps meet that need by offering low interest financing for projects that reduce runoff from feedlots, farm fields and other concerns identified in local water plans. And through MDA’s Soil Health Financial Assistance Grant, farmers can access cost share to purchase or retrofit specialized equipment needed to build healthier soils. These resources make it easier for producers to adopt practices that protect water quality while keeping their operations strong.

As conditions change, our BMPs change with them. We regularly review new research, technologies and emerging issues so that our guidance reflects current realities, not outdated assumptions.

The MDA will continue working with our ag partners, like the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, to keep BMPs practical, effective and grounded in good science. When we stay focused on the shared goals of productive farms, clean water and the strength of rural communities, Minnesota agriculture is ready for whatever comes next.