The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recently received $11 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand conservation practices on irrigated agricultural land.
The funding will support a multi-year project in 25 counties statewide, building upon previous grant work in 2021. This includes projects in Cass, Hubbard, Mille Lacs and Morrison counties. Partners include 26 soil and water conservation districts, Central Lakes College Ag & Energy Center, Minnesota State's AgCentric, the University of Minnesota and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
The program will provide financial and technical assistance to farmers using irrigation systems, with efforts focusing on precision irrigation technologies, improved nitrogen management, irrigation water management, protecting groundwater and expanding the adoption of conservation practices on existing farmlands.
“This partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is invaluable to MDA’s mission to preserve and protect Minnesota’s water resources,” stated Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen in a news release.
“Irrigation is critical for many of our farmers, and this funding allows us to support producers with the tools and technology they need to conserve water and improve outcomes.”
Financial assistance is expected to become available later this year.
“This project and these partners are a great example of what the Regional Conservation Partnership Program can accomplish,” stated Keith Kloubec, assistant state conservationist for programs with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“The group's past success has already delivered measurable impacts, and we look forward to continuing this work to increase adoption of irrigation technologies that benefit both water quality and farm sustainability.”
More information on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and this project is available online.
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