State Certainty Programs for Agricultural Producers: Formula for a Positive Future?

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1 State Certainty Programs for Agricultural Producers: Formula for a Positive Future? Bill Berry, NACD communications specialist Stevens Point, Wisconsin billnick@charter.net

2 Certainty

3 Certainty: Will it be Door to regulation Or? Door to avert regulation

4 a voluntary program that helps achieve Regulatory certainty Water quality goals Other conservation goals Enhanced public perceptions of ag Potential ecosystem services payments Other market components Affinity labels for products

5 What they say about certainty USDA guidance: Fully supports states efforts to adopt, develop or explore (VOLUNTARY) certainty programs Farmers existing conservation efforts should be recognized and given credit Will assist states with their programs, giving priority to those that give participating farmers assurances that they meet state s water quality expectations Certainty programs can support and advance existing and developing ecosystem services markets

6 What they say about certainty NACD: Certainty programs provide an excellent way to work with producers to achieve water quality goals and to facilitate voluntary adoption of conservation plans, systems, and practices, President Gene Schmidt NACD supports locally led solutions to conservation needs across the landscape. Certainty arrangements uniquely fit this objective in their flexibility and local focus

7 What they say NRCS Regional Conservationist Tom Christensen: Certainty programs should evolve from the states NRCS s role is technical and financial assistance EQIP and TA programmatic support

8 What they say NRCS Assist. Chief East Region Leonard Jordan: It is like an insurance policy, risk management If producers practice good stewardship, and if they pass certainty tests, they should have regulatory assurance

9 What they say EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson at Minnesota ceremony: I believe that local conservation efforts, like those supported through this MOU, are among the most effective means for improving water quality in our nation.

10 State certainty programs In place Louisiana Master Farmer Program Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assessment Program New York Agricultural Environmental Management Program Texas Water Quality Management Plan Program Developing Arkansas: Discussions under way Maryland: Developing program with help of CIG Minnesota: State/federal partnership Vermont: Developing program with help of CIG Virginia: Developing program, near completion

11 State programs Similarities Voluntary Seek regulatory certainty, especially at state level Voluntary, locally led with strong conservation district roles Provide confidentiality Require verification Offer incentives for participants Variations Paths to certification Length of certification Program requirements BMPs vs. FTOG and stateapproved practices Some programs (LA) seek to achieve other conservation goals

12 Selected program highlights

13 Texas Water Quality Management Plan Program More than 10,130 participants; 4 million acres SWCDs identify water quality or quantity problems, set priorities and administer program Five step process for plans, site specific for agriculture or forestry; cover entire operating unit FOTG used; Texas Best Management Tool measures outcomes of reduced P, N, sediment Plans certified by SWCDs and State Soil and Water Conservation Board Assures producers meet state water quality standards Complaints: State board, rather than regulating agency, helps correct problems

Michigan Ag Environmental Assurance Program More than 1,200 verifications; 10,000 plus on way to verification; goal of 5,000 by end of 2015 Steps include education, on farm assessment; practice

14 Michigan Ag Environmental Assurance Program More than 1,200 verifications; 10,000 plus on way to verification; goal of 5,000 by end of 2015 Steps include education, on farm assessment; practice implementation; verification SWCDs heavily involved in assessments Districts added 36 grant funded technician positions for program; another 12 in FY 13 Assessments earn extra EQIP points Assurance provided farmers working to comply with state and federal standards Some farmers use MAEAP certification in marketing

New York 12,000 plus farmers have completed on farm inventories 6,800 have completed assessments that document stewardship efforts and prioritize concerns 2,400 plans leading to certification

15 New York 12,000 plus farmers have completed on farm inventories 6,800 have completed assessments that document stewardship efforts and prioritize concerns 2,400 plans leading to certification completed SWCDs heavily involved in technical assistance for plans Locally driven; resources go to farms identified locally as having biggest environmental impacts FOTG and some state standards used NOT a certainty program but builds positive image of land stewardship

16 Minnesota, January 2012

17 Minnesota First ever state federal water quality certainty agreement under construction Advisory committee met several times and has offered several recommendations to the state agriculture commissioner Recommendations include establishing three pilot projects of three year duration and focusing on different agricultural practices Committee recommended that NRCS Water Quality Index and Conservation Measurement tools be modified to meet the needs of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program NRCS s roles: coordinating and providing technical assistance and program support Soil and water conservation districts and other partners would provide technical assistance and outreach; roles for TSPs, crop consultants, others

18 What about your state? Does your state have a voluntary certainty program that helps producers and landowners achieve high levels of conservation? Please contact NACD communications specialist Bill Berry at billnick@charter.net, , or see me during the annual meeting

19 Louisiana Ernest Girouard: Program coordinator, second vice president of Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts, chair of the Vermilion County SWCD Board

Maryland Agricultural Certainty Program

Maryland Agricultural Certainty Program Agriculture Workgroup Meeting June 17, 2015 Jason Keppler Watershed Implementation Program Maryland Certainty Program Provides a safe harbor (regulatory relief for