The Minnesota Department of Agriculture developed a diagnostic tool called FANMAP to get a clear understanding of existing farm practices and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, manures and pesticides.
The ability for state agencies and the University of Minnesota Extension to document producer adoption rates of voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) is a critical component of the 1989 Minnesota Groundwater Protection Act. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) developed a diagnostic tool called FArm Nutrient Management Assessment Process (FANMAP) to get a clear understanding of existing farm practices regarding agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, manures and pesticides. Results have been used to design focused water quality educational programs. Data collected in the program's infancy can be used as a baseline to assist in determining if voluntary BMPs are being adopted. Over the years, hundreds of farmers have volunteered two to four hours of their time to share information about their farming operations.
Development of a representative sampling population is critical. In all FANMAP activities, County Educators (University of Minnesota Extension) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff from the appropriate counties are contacted and individually interviewed. The purpose of the interviews is to inform them of the specifics of the particular project and overall goals; obtain pertinent county information (i.e. locations and demographics); and potential candidates (farmers) and their agronomic management skills as perceived by the County Educator. Educators and SWCD staff are requested to provide producer-farmer contacts. Introduction letters, signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, are then mailed to potential participants. The letter's intent is to identify the overall project; the purpose of the nutrient assessment; why they have been selected; and what types of information and amount of their time necessary to successfully complete the project.
FANMAP Reports
North East/Central Regions
- 2001 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers, Melrose Nitrate Study Area (12 pages)
- 2000 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers in the Cottage Grove Nitrate Study Area (19 pages)
- 1999 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers Perham Wellhead Protection Area (15 pages)
- 1998 Survey of Farmers Within the Cold Spring Wellhead Protection Area (18 pages)
- 1997 Survey of Farmers within the Perham Wellhead Protection Area (12 pages)
- 1995 Potato Survey: Central Sands (14 pages)
- 1994 Farms on Non-Irrigated Outwash Soils (21 pages)
Southeast Region
- 2007 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers South Branch of the Root River (50 pages)
- 2005 Nutrient and Pesticide Management Assessment of Producers in the Middle Branch and South Branch Watersheds of the Whitewater River (59 pages)
- 2003 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers South Branch of the Root River (45 pages)
- 2000 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers - Hastings Nitrate Study Area (37 pages)
- 1997 Survey of Farmers within the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River (28 pages)
- 1995-1990 Farm Nutrient Management Assessment Program for Hog Producers in South Central Minnesota and Dairy Farmers in Southeast Minnesota (9 pages)
- 1993 Dairy Farmers Located on the Karst Region of Southeast Minnesota (26 pages)
South Central Region
- 2007 Nutrient and Pesticide Management Assessment of Producers - Seven Mile Creek Watershed, Nicollet County (25 pages)
- 2002 Nutrient Management Assessment of Producers in the St Peter 7 Mile Creek Area (25 pages)
- 1999 Nutrient Management Assessment of Agricultural Practices in the Dutch Creek and South Chain of Lakes Watersheds, Fairmont, MN (16 pages)
- 1996 Saint Peter Survey of Farmers within the Wellhead Protection Area (20 pages)
- 1996 and 1993 Brown/Nicollet/Cottonwood Clean Water Partnership Farm Nitrogen Management Survey (6 pages)
- 1995 Survey of 28 Farms in the Bevens Creek Watershed and Sand Creek Watershed (45 pages)
- 1995-1990 Farm Nutrient Management Assessment Program for Hog Producers in South Central Minnesota and Dairy Farmers in Southeast Minnesota (9 pages)
- 1994 Pork Producers Survey (32 pages)
