MN:Ag loans expand for more pollution prevention; State extends eligibility to include larger livestock operations

Low-interest loans for projects that help prevent pollution are being expanded by the state to include larger livestock operations. Minnesota Department of Agriculture is expanding the Agricultural Best Management Practices – better known as AgBMP – loans under an agreement with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program in Louisiana. Livestock operations holding National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits or those with more than 1,000 animal units now can apply.A formal letter of understanding recently was signed recognizing the importance of coordinating pollution-prevention efforts throughout the Mississippi River watershed locally in Minnesota and in distant downstream areas, including the receiving waters of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.“This is great news for Mower County’s numerous livestock operators,” said Justin Hanson, district manager for Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. “We hope this leads to even more AgBMP funds being secured for local projects.”