Conservation

Pending Conservation Decisions by EPA and MPCA will Affect Minnesota Soybean Farming Practices

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delegated to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) the authority and responsibility, as well as federal funding, to implement the new Clean Water Act requirements that identify and restore designated impaired waters in Minnesota.

MPCA has designated 80 lakes and 89 streams within the Minnesota River Basin that do NOT meet minimum water quality standards for turbidity, ammonia, phosphorus levels, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, mercury and PCBs. How the MPCA decides to address these issues will determine the future farming practices, reporting procedures, and how profitable Minnesota's soybean farmers will be able to farm their land in the future. What is finally decided will be strongly influenced by how active and engaged MSGA soybean farmers are in representing their own interests. Active, assertive and knowledgeable Minnesota soybean leader involvement in MPCA meetings will mean the difference.

However, farmer involvement on this issue to-date has been very minimal, and reactive, not proactive. MSGA Consultant Steve Commerford will hold a Conservation Overview Session on Monday, June 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Soybean office in North Mankato. Any farmer who is interested in conservation is encouraged to attend and participate in the Conservation Overview Session. Conservation is a priority issue for MSGA and MSR&PC, so it is important that farmers are involved and active in this issue. If you will be attending this meeting, please contact the Minnesota Soybean office at 888-896-9678.