Land O’Lakes and Governor Announce Water Quality Initiative

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (AP) — The state of Minnesota and Land O'Lakes have formed a partnership to improve water quality in farm country.

The plan announced Wednesday calls for the farmer-owned cooperative to use its retail network help expand participation in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. It encourages farmers to voluntarily implement conservation practices that protect water quality.

Land O'Lakes will promote the program through its seed and crop protection business, Winfield US, using its remote sensing technology to map the topography of fields to reduce erosion and better manage runoff.

Land O'Lakes CEO Chris Policinski calls it a high tech solution to a very important problem.

Gov. Mark Dayton says the company's network will help propel the initiative forward.

The governor has made water issues a major priority in this term.