Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Land O’Lakes have formed a private-public partnership to improve water quality across the state.
The partnership helps more farmers enhance water quality in Minnesota and Dayton urged people to take action on the plans.
Dayton said: "By working together, we can improve the quality of our water for future generations of Minnesotans. I urge businesses, farmers, and landowners across Minnesota to follow this model of responsible stewardship."
With this partnership, Land O’Lakes plans to expand participation in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program via its agri retail network across the state.
Land O’ Lakes’ seed and crop protection business, Winfield US, serves about 1,300 retailers across the US. These retail houses serve about 300,000 farmers who represent more than 100 million acres of land.
The company hopes that its foray into water conservation will create an impact among its farmer customers and will in turn result in the success of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.
Land O’Lakes president & CEO Chris Policinski said: "Water is a finite resource, and we are pleased to partner with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the State of Minnesota on this first-of -its-kind public-private partnership to protect and enhance water quality across the state.
"Through our tools, insights and technology, we work to enable prudent management of water resources in our operations, on our member farms and through partnerships such as this to ensure a sustainable future for food and agriculture."
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program urges farmers and landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect and enhance the state’s water resources.
Since its inception in 2014, the program has certified more than 150 farms totaling more than 83,000 acres.