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A new study by the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence shows that farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) had higher profits than non-certified farms. This marks the second year of data highlighting improved financial outcomes.

The “Influence of Intensified Environmental Practices on Farm Profitability” study examined financial and crop production information from farmers enrolled in the Minnesota State Farm Business Management education program. The 64 MAWQCP farms in the study saw 2020 profits that were an average of $40,000 or 18% higher (median of $11,000) than non-certified farms. The 2019 data showed an average of $19,000 or 20% in higher profits (median of $7,000) for certified producers. Other key financial metrics are also better for those enrolled in the MAWQCP, such as debt-to-asset ratios and operating expense ratios.

The two years of data serve as an early indicator of a positive return on investment for whole-farm conservation management farmers implement in order to become certified.

“The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program is a double-win for the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We see that certified farms have a major impact on our environment for the better; now we also know that those farmers see better economic outlooks which helps our ag economy. I encourage all farmers and landowners to look into the advantages of certifying their land.”

“While this study is in its infancy, capturing two years of data and 3% of the Minnesota database, it does look encouraging that producers who are water quality certified enjoy an increase in farm profitability,” said Keith Olander, Executive Director of AgCentric. “As we expand this dataset in future years, we will look to incorporate enterprise level management data that may explain more about what is driving these profit levels.”

To view, download, or request a copy of this report, visit agcentric.org.

The MAWQCP is a voluntary program for farmers and landowners that protects the state’s water resources by putting farmers in touch with local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate any risks their farm poses to water quality. Producers going through the certification process have priority access to financial assistance.

Since the program’s statewide launch in 2016, 1,038 farms totaling over 734,000 acres have been certified across Minnesota. Farms have added 2,095 new conservation practices, which protect Minnesota’s waters. Those new practices help to reduce of greenhouse gas emissions by over 40,500 metric tons each year. That annual saving is equal to 4.5 million gallons of gasoline, or 44.6 million pounds of coal, or eliminating more than 100 million miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.

The program is on target to meet Governor Tim Walz’s goal of enrolling one million acres by the end of 2022.

Farmers and landowners interested in becoming water quality certified can contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District or visit MyLandMyLegacy.com.

About the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. The program is available to farmers and landowners statewide.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Blue Earth County. There are now 27 counties in the state with EAB.

A resident in the city of St. Clair was cutting down an ash tree and noticed insect galleries in the wood. The homeowner contacted a local Department of Natural Resources forester who notified the MDA. MDA staff were able to find live EAB larvae and collect samples for federal identification.

Emerald ash borer larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, the EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.

Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Blue Earth County, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is enacting an emergency quarantine to limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of the county. The MDA issues quarantines for all counties known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.

Two virtual open houses for residents and tree care professionals in the county will be held on Wednesday, April 21. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meetings
Wednesday, April 21
10-11 a.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Register at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Blue Earth County to the state formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantine now through May 17 and recommends adopting the quarantine on May 21. The quarantine limits the movement of ash trees and limbs and hardwood firewood out of the county. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:

Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Kimberly.TCremers@state.mn.us
Fax: 651-201-6108

EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009.

There is more EAB information on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

VARIOUS – As warmer weather returns and our nation’s agricultural communities gear up for summer events, the leaders of the agricultural departments in six Midwestern states released a video message today encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 when they are eligible.

Echoing a similar message released by the group in December, the new video features recommendations from the following commissioners, directors, and secretaries across the Midwest:

• Jerry Costello II, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA)
• Dr. Ryan Quarles, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA)
• Thom Petersen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
• Gary McDowell, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)
• Dorothy Pelanda, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)
• Randy Romanski, Secretary-designee, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

The group of leaders joined together to share their appreciation for essential agricultural and food workers, who have never stopped working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They shared that the three vaccines available to Americans (Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson) are safe and effective. They also emphasized the importance of continued mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while vaccination continues.

The full video can be found here. For more information on each state’s agricultural department, visit their websites:

• Illinois Department of Agriculture: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pages/default.aspx
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture: https://www.kyagr.com/
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/
• Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/
• Ohio Department of Agriculture: https://www.agri.ohio.gov/
• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: https://www.datcp.wi.gov

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Illinois media contact: Krista Lisser, (217) 670-9283, krista.lisser@illinois.gov
Kentucky media contact: Sean Southard, (502) 234-4702, sean.southard@ky.gov
Minnesota media contact: Margaret Hart, (651) 201-6131, margaret.hart@state.mn.us
Michigan media contact: Jennifer Holton, (517) 284-5724, holtonj@michigan.gov
Ohio media contact: Shelby Croft, (614) 429-7185, Shelby.Croft@agri.ohio.gov
Wisconsin media contact: Grace Atherton, (608) 224-5020, Grace.Atherton@wisconsin.gov

Many Minnesotans are thinking about their lawns, trees, and gardens this time of year. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges everyone to safely use pesticides and fertilizers on your property by following all label directions.

Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products safely and effectively. In Minnesota, it is unlawful to apply products without following label instructions. The label is the law.

If you hire a professional lawn care provider, do your homework. State law requires pesticide applicators and their company to be licensed by the MDA in order to commercially apply pesticides and fertilizers, including weed and feed product. Licensed applicators know and understand state and federal regulations regarding all aspects of pesticide and fertilizer handling, application, and disposal. The following are helpful tips for a safe spring season.

If you do it yourself:

• Test your soil to determine fertilizer needs.
• Carefully read and follow all label directions.
• Do not apply pesticides in windy or adverse weather conditions. High wind can cause products to drift and potentially harm people, pets, or plants.
• Do not apply if heavy rain is expected.
• Do not over water following application.
• Sweep sidewalks and hard surfaces of any dry or granular product after you apply the product to the intended site. Pesticides or fertilizers left on hard surfaces easily wash into our water supply.
• Place signage after the treatment.
• Buy only what you need. Unused products must be stored according to the label, can lose effectiveness over time, and be difficult to dispose of safely.

If you hire a lawn care professional:

• Professionals applying pesticides must be licensed by the MDA and carry their pesticide applicator license with them. The company they work for must have a fertilizer license to apply fertilizer. Check the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/licensesearch for fertilizer license verification. Also ask to see a pesticide applicator’s license before they apply pesticides.
• Be cautious of people who claim their products are completely safe or pressure you to sign a service contract.
• Recognize posted warning flags in areas that have been chemically treated. Make sure your hired professional places warning signs after your lawn treatment.
• Lawn care professionals are required to provide an application record to you, the customer. Review the records, including products used and the amounts applied.
• Be sure the professionals sweep the sidewalks and hard surfaces clean of any dry or granular products.

For information about applicator licenses, call the MDA at 651-201-6615. To report unlicensed applicators, file a complaint on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/pestfertcomplaints or call 651-201-6333.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us