WHEREAS, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and project partners (MPCA, MDA, BWSR,  NRCS, and others) have developed and are implementing the Livestock Environmental Quality Assurance (LEQA) program; and

WHEREAS,  the LEQA program has been successful in helping dairy producers achieve environmental  quality standards on their farm that go beyond compliance and help assure the public and government regulators that Five Star Dairies represent “Excellence in Environmental Stewardship”; and

WHEREAS, dairy producers are in need of technical and financial assistance to help them comply with environmental standards; and

WHEREAS, the LEQA program can be utilized to effectively coordinate governmental programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT:

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Milk Producers Association supports the continuation of the LEQA program and establishment of  sustainable funding for the LEQA program.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the LEQA program be integrated with other state and federal programs to increase producer participation, leverage multiple funding sources and enhance the overall effectiveness of program outcomes.