Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership
Region
Central MinnesotaTimeline
2018 - presentAudience
Farmers, watershed districtsHeadwaters 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. Ten farms are included in the 2022 data report (PDF) and select farm operations are highlighted in Tools & Guides.
- The Return on Investment work is expanding through our participation in Edge Dairy’s USDA Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities funded work.
Steering Committee
- Chair, Steve Peterson, SLP Consulting and Producer
- Vice Chair, Trent Wimmer, Syngenta
- Past Chair, Drew Kessler, Houston Engineering, Inc.
Return on Investment Case Studies
Farmers with row crop or integrated dairy operations are participating in a multi-year project which analyzes the relationship between on-farm conservation and finances over time.
Schefers Brothers Dairy: HASP Return on Investment
The Schefer brothers joined the return-on-investment program in part to learn how their practices measured up against traditional practices. Learn more about their conservation journey.
Jer-Lindy Farm: HASP Return on Investment
The Jennissen family shares a dream that Jer-Lindy farm can sustainably support Redhead Creamery production growth. Explore how they are working to achieve that vision.
Kuechle Dairy: HASP Return on Investment
The Kuechle siblings operate a third-generation dairy farm, plan to add cover crops into their rotation, and want to learn more about resources from partners and other farmers in the HASP return-on-investment program.
Previous Work
- 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.
Project Contacts
Contact us to support and expand farmer-led, innovative, and quantifiable solutions designed to improve water quality, soil health, and natural habitat.
Britta Dornfeld
Senior Partnership Manager she/her Email Britta Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8120 Cell: 612-425-4939
Sacha Seymour-Anderson
Associate and Advancement Director she/her Email Sacha Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8108 Cell: 612-425-4933Agriculture News
Report: Conservation practices benefit the environment and local farmer’s bottom line
A recent return-on-investment study of dairy operations in central Minnesota found that profitability and environmental stewardship are complimentary. The study analyzed 10 farms and found that on average the farms demonstrated improved environmental and financial outcomes compared to benchmarks.
Connecting farmers with nutrients to improve environmental and economic outcomes
MINNEAPOLIS – Protecting Minnesota’s water quality and soil health are priorities for the organizations and farmers in the Headwaters Agricultural Sustainability Partnership (HASP), a group administered by Environmental Initiative. The partnership was recently recognized for its local…
Our role in Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework
The Walz Administration has released their Climate Action Framework, a vision for how Minnesota will address and prepare for climate change. Mike Harley shares examples of Environmental Initiative's commitments to collaborative action.
Our Partners and Funders
