Farmer-to-farmer cooperative effort aims to clean up and protect streams

The Freshwater Society is pleased to announce the launch of the MN FarmWise program, a community-based farmer-to-farmer initiative designed to improve the health of local waters by supporting the voluntary adoption of critical conservation practices that reduce sediment and nutrient runoff in vulnerable areas of a watershed.

MN FarmWise is a partnership between the Freshwater Society, the National Park Service, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and -- most importantly -- local farmers and other agricultural professionals. The program, sponsored by The Mosaic Company Foundation, will encourage and recruit participating farmers to work with local technicians to design farm-specific projects to increase conservation on their fields and to protect local waterways.

Beginning this month, farmers from the Rice Creek sub-watershed of the Cannon River (known locally as Spring Brook) will gather to discuss and develop a plan of action to protect Rice Creek, the only remaining trout stream in Rice County. Pollutants, increasing water temperature and land use all affect the health of the stream.

The sub-watershed encompasses 4,128 acres and the stream is impaired for E. coli bacteria, nitrates and turbidity. Approximately 84% of the land in the sub-watershed is agricultural.

The MN FarmWise project was developed in coordination with an Advisory Group consisting of:

Warren Formo: Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center, Bill Bond: Minnesota Crop Retailers Association,

Beth Kallestad: Cannon River Watershed Partnership, Dave Legvold: Legvold Farms, Dakota County,

Mark Dittrich: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Patrick Moore: Clean Up the River Environment,

Gary Sands: University of Minnesota Extension, Doug Peterson: President, Minnesota Farmers Union

In subsequent years the program will expand into the Minnesota River Basin.

Peggy Knapp, Freshwater’s director of programs, described the MN FarmWise philosophy this way:

“The FarmWise program invites local landowners and producers to focus their problem-solving skills on some of the complex water quality challenges we have in Minnesota. Farmers know their lands well and they care about clean water, so it makes sense for this program to support farmers in taking leadership to protect and conserve both water and soil.” 

Dave Legvold, who employs a number of conservation practices on land he has farmed near Northfield for 35 years, said: “FarmWise offers an innovative way to bring experienced conservation farmers and developing conservation farmers together to share ideas.  Farmers are willing to try new ideas but must have proof that conservation efforts result in data-proven benefits as well as greater profitability on their own land."

"The Cannon River Watershed Partnership is excited to be a part of this project,” said Beth Kallestad. “We believe taking time to build individual relationships with farmers is the best way to achieve the goals of clean water and productive farms. Working together on actions that make sense for the farm and the streams is a win-win all around."

Lark Weller, water quality coordinator for the Mississippi National River and Recreation area, said: “We at the National Park Service understand that working with partners is essential to accomplishing our goals of protecting the Mississippi River. We are pleased to work with Minnesota farmers and with the Freshwater Society to achieve our shared goal: cleaner water.”

“Farmers mentoring farmers on conservation agriculture here in our own back yard is vital to the health of local waters,” said Chris Lambe, Director of Social Responsibility at The Mosaic Company and Executive Director of The Mosaic Company Foundation, a project funder. “Mosaic is driven by our mission to help the world grow the food it needs through a balanced approach to crop nutrition. Our commitment to protecting critical water resources through conservation agriculture, watershed restoration and nutrient stewardship is solidly reflected in MN FarmWise’s efforts to reduce the potential for nutrient runoff while increasing production and farmer profitability.”

A grant from the Minnesota Community Foundation provided seed money for planning MN FarmWise.

About the Freshwater Society
The Freshwater Society is a Minnesota non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring people to value, conserve and protect water resources. Learn more at www.freshwater.org.

About The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation

The Mosaic Company is the world’s leading producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash. Driven by its mission to help the world grow the food it needs, Mosaic is committed to strengthening global food security and protecting critical water resources. The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation make investments in and partner with best-of-class leaders in the focus areas of food, water and local community investments. For more information on The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation, visit www.mosaicco.com.