Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership

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

Three partner-led projects are underway.

• 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. The team led a farmer outreach campaign in 2021. In 2020, the program released a series of information videos on conservation practices, connected with regional agriculture retailers, and surveyed landowners on the barriers to conservation practice adoption.
• The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) Pilot project will test 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.
• Eleven farmers are participating in the Return on Investment Case Study project in Stearns County, Minn. A 2019-2020 data report is now available. The 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. Select farm operations are highlighted in Tools & Guides.

Steering Committee

• Chair, Drew Kessler, Houston Engineering, Inc.
• Vice Chair, Cassie Monger, Compeer Financial
• Past Chair, Steve Peterson, Minnesota farmer