Alyson Levig

June 14, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Michael Birchard and Peace Mitchell are now certified stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), a voluntary program that certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Their multigenerational black-owned farmstead, Frog Tree Farm, operates under a canopy of Pines, Firs, and Oaks nestled along the Crow Wing River.

June 09, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Underneath a canopy of aged hardwoods north of Crosby lies 10.5 acres of land dedicated to growing fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms for the local community. The operation is run by Derrick Justin, who recently became water quality certified through the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), on May 4, 2023. The program itself is voluntary and certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality.

May 22, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Jason Teiken joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Teiken’s operation accompanies over 1,300 producers in Minnesota farming more than 950,000 certified acres within the program.

May 19, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Bob Keranen’s grass-fed cattle farm joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Keranen’s 320 acres of pastureland achieved water quality certification in April of 2022, accompanying over 1,300 producers in Minnesota farming more than 950,000 certified acres within the program.

April 24, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Four Hill Farms Inc., proudly operated by Nathan and Jacob Thompson, has recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The program, which originated in 2014, is a voluntary process that certifies farming operations utilizing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality throughout Minnesota for a duration of 10 years. Throughout that time, producers are deemed to be compliant with any new water quality rules and maintain priority for technical assistance to implement more practices that promote water quality.