1st MN Ag Water Quality Certified Corn/Soy Farm in Douglas County

 

John Ledermann of Brandon is now certified in the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary program designed to accelerate adoption of on-farm conservation practices that protect Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. Farm owners and operators who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn assured that their operation meets the state’s water quality goals and standards for a period of ten years.  The MN Department of Agriculture administers MAWQCP.

John Ledermann operates a combined acreage of about 1,500 acres with a crop rotation consisting of Corn, Soybeans and Wheat. Vegetative buffers are in place along lakes and wetlands have been restored near his home.  Nutrient and pest best management practices are implemented to maximize production while minimizing negative impacts to water quality.  Cover crops are planted after wheat harvest annually and now are inter seeded into sanding corn at about 6 leaf stage.  Soybeans and wheat are planted with a no till planter while the corn is strip tilled.  John is constantly striving to increase crop production potential by improving his fertilizer use efficiency and reducing erosion with his no till system.  John Ledermann worked with Danica Derks from the Douglas SWCD and Area Certification Specialist Grant Pearson with the Stearns SWCD.