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Cash for clean water

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Local producers could earn $300 for signing up for ag water quality
Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

A new statewide water quality program will give 10 Rock County farmers up to $300 each if they become certified producers.
Successfully piloted since 2013 in three watersheds located in various parts of the state, the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is now expanding statewide. The voluntary program is meant to accelerate adoption of on-farm conservation practices that protect the state’s rivers and streams.
Danielle Evers is the certification specialist for the program in 11 southwest Minnesota counties.
Besides Rock County, she will also work with producers in Pipestone, Nobles, Murray, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Lincoln, Redwood, Yellow Medicine and Lac qui Parle counties.
Using $300 as an incentive, Evers’ job is to sign up 110 or more producers within her region by next month.
“It’s a proactive approach to water quality issues,” she said. “It’s a great direction for the state to go.”
Farmers who undergo the application process will receive $100, whether or not they fully qualify for certification. The producer would receive an additional $200 if they agree to work toward the certification requirements, Evers said.
The requirements are tailored to each producer.
“We go from field to field with them and evaluate their practices,” she said.
Farmers who adopt certain best practices to minimize water pollution would be certified up to 10 years. They would also be deemed compliant with new water quality rules or laws during the certification period.
Because of the water quality practices already in place, a certified farmer is presumed to be contributing to the producer’s share of any targeted reduction of water pollutants.
Also with this certification, producers would receive a priority status for any technical and financial assistance to implement practices that promote water quality.
Evers said area farmers concerned with water quality have been trying various production practices and may need to only change one or two things to become state certified. It is Evers’ job to assist producers with those changes.
The desire to improve production agriculture began at an early age for Evers, who grew up in Windom and frequently visited and worked on her grandparents’ farm.
Evers attended South Dakota State University in Brookings and sought a degree that would allow her to work directly with producers in the ag industry.
“Growing up around the farm, I always saw the impact (the ag industry) had on our family,” she said. “I wanted to help.”
For instance, Evers saw improved yields through plant breeding and genetics and how improved agronomy practices kept the family farm financially viable.
Evers graduated from SDSU in May 2015 with a degree in agronomy and a minor in pest management. Though she was interested in plant genetics, she didn’t want to work in a laboratory environment.
“I wanted to have contact with people,” she said. “I want to make a difference.”
A job with the Cottonwood County Natural Resources Conservation Service introduced Evers to government programming that assists producers to improve the environment. She began with the state’s new water quality program last month.
Evers is housed in the Pipestone County Soil and Water Conservation Office in Pipestone. She can be reached at 507-825-1199.

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