Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership

Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership solutions benefit the environment, economic viability of farmers, and vitality of rural communities. This partnership is a forum where innovative ideas can be considered, supported, accelerated, and implemented with the partnership’s diverse experience, skills, and networks.

Current work

• Our Return on Investment project analyzes the relationship between on-farm conservation and finances on row crop and integrated dairy operations. Farmers are also engaged in peer-to-peer education. Six farm operations are highlighted in Tools & Guides and 11 in the 2021 data report (PDF).
• The Return on Investment work will expand through our participation in Edge Dairy’s USDA Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities funded work.
• A $10 million grant award from the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program will support our effort to build a network connecting crop and manure-producing farmers to protect Minnesota’s water quality and soil health.
• All Acres for Our Water brings together public and private technical expertise, agronomic intelligence, and financial resources to enhance and restore natural resources in Minnesota. A series of information videos on conservation practices is available.
• The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) Pilot project tests the protocols and data processes of ESMC, a program to provide financial incentives to encourage farmers to implement practices that improve soil health, store carbon in soils, and reduce nutrient runoff.

Steering Committee

• Chair, Steve Peterson, SLP Consulting and Producer
• Vice Chair, Vacant
• Past Chair, Drew Kessler, Houston Engineering, Inc.