Promoting Crop and Soil Management Practices that Protect Water Quality Through a Unique Public/Private Partnership in Minnesota.

1.0 SW, SSp

Register Now: http://agronomy.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=80799

Growing public pressure to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering ground and surface waters from agricultural sources is prompting new approaches to expand conservation practices in many parts of the US.  The 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan established a goal of reducing N and P loading of the Mississippi River system by 45%.  The State of Minnesota established a producer-level water quality certification program and passed a law that requires buffer strips or substitute alternative practices alongside all rivers streams adjacent to agricultural lands.  Although numerous agencies were involved, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture was authorized to lead the implementation and operation of the certification program, including integration of the buffer strip law.  Land O’Lakes Inc. and the State of Minnesota agreed to a unique collaboration to help engage more growers and their agronomic advisors in expanding the use of conservation practices and helping more growers achieve certification in the Minnesota water quality certification program.  We will discuss the process of forming this unique public/private partnership to help reduce the impacts of agriculture on water quality and the potential to expand this model to other geographies.