If you’re a farmer relying on irrigation in Minnesota, take note—important updates have been made to the Groundwater Protection Rule and its associated map. These updates are critical for planning your nitrogen fertilizer applications and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

What’s Changed?
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has updated the Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions Map, which helps farmers identify areas where fall nitrogen applications are restricted to protect groundwater from nitrate contamination.

• Ellsworth DWSMA Removed: The Ellsworth municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) is no longer on the map due to a change in the community’s water source.
• New Additions: While no new municipal DWSMAs were found to have elevated nitrate levels, two non-municipal wells in Scott County (Brookhaven Development and Mobile Manor) have been identified with elevated nitrate levels. These areas will now fall under Mitigation Level 2.

Under Mitigation Level 2, a local advisory group will work with farmers in these areas to recommend practices that reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater. The restrictions on fall nitrogen fertilizer applications for these newly affected areas will begin September 1, 2025.

Why It Matters
The Groundwater Protection Rule is designed to protect drinking water by limiting nitrate contamination, especially in vulnerable areas. For farmers, understanding these restrictions is essential for compliance and for maintaining sustainable farming practices.

Check the Map and Plan Ahead
Before the fall 2025 planting season, review the updated map to see if your fields fall within these restricted zones. Early planning can help you adapt your fertilizer application strategies without disrupting your operations.

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You can view the map by clicking the link: New Fall Fertilizer Restrictions Map 2025.

Find More Information
Visit the MDA website for more information on the Groundwater Protection Rule.

Protecting our groundwater is a shared responsibility. By staying informed and proactive, Minnesota farmers can continue to lead the way in sustainable agriculture while safeguarding this vital resource for future generations.

Last autumn, Hancock High School embarked on a transformative journey, courtesy of a generous $750 grant from Central Minnesota Irrigators. This grant wasn’t just a financial boost; it was a gateway to a hands-on exploration of agriculture for our students. In this article, we invite you to delve into how these funds sprouted into a vibrant educational experience, fostering a deeper connection to the world of agriculture.

The purpose of the Central Minnesota Irrigators grant was clear—to expose students to the diverse aspects of agriculture. With a mission to cultivate knowledge and curiosity, the school set out to create an immersive learning environment that would leave a lasting impact.

Eager to share the impact of the grant, Hancock High School has prepared an exclusive video showcasing the various initiatives funded by the Central Minnesota Irrigators grant. This video offers a firsthand look at the students’ experiences and the outcomes of the projects.

The Central Minnesota Irrigators grant has not only empowered Hancock High School financially but has sown the seeds of curiosity and knowledge in the minds of students. By exploring agriculture hands-on, students have gained a profound appreciation for the importance of sustainable practices and the intricate workings of our local farming community.

🌾🎥 Explore the agricultural adventure with us—watch the video and join the celebration of education, community support, and the future of agriculture. 🚜📚 #HancockHighSchool #AgriculturalEducation #GrantImpact #CommunitySupport #FutureFarmers

Earlier this fall, Sacred Heart Area School was granted a wonderful opportunity by the Central Minnesota Irrigators. Mr. Justin Edin and his second-grade classroom received a $500 grant to embark on a hydroponics project, enriching the students’ scientific journey.

The grant aimed to enhance the students’ comprehension of life cycles and natural science while introducing alternative methods of cultivating plants. The classroom has become a hub of excitement as the second graders diligently tend to their hydroponics setup, nurturing a flourishing crop of lettuce, tomatoes, and an assortment of herbs.

Mr. Edin expressed his exhilaration, saying, “The kids and I are super excited about and blessed by this new addition to our classroom. The last couple of years I had been bringing in my personal 6 pod setup. This machine is 4 times that size. We can’t wait to see what we can grow, and I can’t wait to see these kids grow in their understanding of plants through various experiments.”

The students eagerly monitor the daily progress of their project, learning invaluable lessons through hands-on experience. Witnessing the growth of their plants and understanding the science behind it has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among the young minds.

This initiative not only cultivates plants but also nurtures a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and scientific inquiry among the students. It’s heartening to see educators like Mr. Edin fostering a passion for learning through innovative projects.

Below is a video to show the progress of the project at Sacred Heart.

🌱✨ #ScienceEducation #HydroponicsProject #StudentGrowth

[Image courtesy: Sacred Heart Area School]

The Central Minnesota Irrigators have awarded educational grants to support initiatives related to conservation, sustainability, precision agriculture, and water resources. The two grant recipients, Hancock Public Schools and Sacred Heart Area School, will each receive up to $750 for their educational projects.

Hancock Public Schools plans to use the grant to purchase “Farmbeats for Students” kits for their Ag Technology course. These kits will provide students with a hands-on and immersive learning experience in utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in agriculture. The kits include both software and hardware components.

Students will have the opportunity to work with sensors that measure parameters such as soil moisture, light levels, and more. They will use these sensors to monitor various resources and the status of crops. This real-time data will be collected and analyzed by students, simulating the decision-making process of a farmer. By analyzing this data, students can make more informed decisions related to agriculture and resource management.

This educational project not only offers students practical skills in modern agriculture but also encourages them to explore innovative technologies that can contribute to sustainable and efficient farming practices. It’s a valuable initiative that aligns with the grant’s focus on water resource conservation and agriculture sustainability. Hancock Public Schools’ will give a presentation of their project at the Central Minnesota Irrigators’ annual meeting in January 2024.

Sacred Heart Area Schools will be using the funding to purchase an AeroGarden Farm 24XL. With these, student’s will choose plants to grow and then compare growth and yield to traditional planting. They will work on math skills such as measuring and graphing and will also be able to take home plants they have grown. Utilizing this, students will have a better understanding of the life cycle of plants and the knowledge of alternative farming methods. The hope is the hydroponic system will educate students that there is more to agriculture than tractors and soil and spark curiosity or a passion to continue to explore and create in the agriculture industry.

The educational project at Sacred Heart Area Schools, involving the purchase of an AeroGarden Farm 24XL, offers a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning and gain a deeper understanding of plant growth, alternative farming methods, and the broader world of agriculture.

By allowing students to choose plants and cultivate them within the AeroGarden Farm 24XL, the project encourages active participation and exploration. Comparing the growth and yield of hydroponically grown plants to traditional soil-based planting provides a valuable learning experience. Enabling students to take home the plants they’ve grown personalizes the learning experience. It allows them to observe the full life cycle of their plants and nurtures a sense of responsibility and care.

The project introduces students to hydroponics, an alternative farming method that doesn’t rely on traditional soil and can be more resource-efficient. This knowledge broadens their perspective on agriculture, emphasizing that it goes beyond the conventional imagery of tractors and soil. One of the primary goals of the project is to spark curiosity and potentially ignite a passion for the agriculture industry. By exposing students to the diverse facets of agriculture, it encourages them to explore, innovate, and create within this field.

This initiative highlights the transformative power of education to inspire and prepare students for the challenges and opportunities within the agriculture industry. Sacred Heart Area Schools’ project has the potential to nurture future leaders and innovators in agriculture, providing students with a solid foundation for exploring and contributing to the industry in innovative ways.

The Central Minnesota Irrigators of Minnesota’s mission is to educate, inform and promote research irrigation techniques, which is vital for sustainable water resource management in agriculture. It’s great to know that grant opportunities will be available again in the spring of 2024, as this will provide additional support to educational and research initiatives that align with their mission. This continued commitment to funding such projects is essential for advancing agricultural practices and ensuring the responsible use of water resources in the region.