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 The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has a variety of resources available for education and outreach related to pesticides and water quality. In addition to the resources listed below, MDA staff can help by giving talks, creating slides, and writing articles related to pesticides and water quality or monitoring data. Please feel free to contact the MDA with any requests or ideas for collaboration. 

Best Management Practices (BMPs) 

The MDA has, in coordination with University of Minnesota Extension and other partners, developed best management practices (BMPs) to prevent the degradation of Minnesota’s waters. There are both generic BMPs and pesticide-specific water quality BMPs available. 

All pesticide BMPs are available at: www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/pesticide-best-management-practices. This page also includes links to other water quality related education and outreach materials such as cue cards reminding applicators of label setback requirements. 

You can request print copies of Agricultural Pesticide Outreach Documents and General Use Pesticide Outreach Documents through the online request forms linked here or available on the MDA’s pesticide BMPs webpage under “Forms + Resources.” 

Videos 

All videos are available through the MDA’s YouTube channel (@mnagriculture) including: 

• Protecting Pollinators Series – Videos in this series were produced as part of a collaborative project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the focus is on pollinators, recommendations related to pesticide application (e.g., minimizing drift) also help to protect water quality. 

• SE MN Groundwater Series – Videos in this series were produced through the Root River Field to Stream Partnership. These videos offer great visuals explaining the geology and movement of groundwater and contaminants in SE MN. 

• Herbicide BMPs Series – Three short videos were produced in collaboration with the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program and partners. The series includes an overview of herbicide BMPs and highlights key land management practices and new technologies adopted by growers to protect water quality. 

Monitoring Data 

Monitoring data showing pesticide detections in groundwater and surface water throughout the state is summarized each year in the MDA’s monitoring report. To access the annual monitoring report and learn more about the MDA’s water monitoring program, visit: www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/agricultural-chemical-monitoring-assessment. 

Special Registration Reviews 

The MDA performs special registration reviews on new pesticide active ingredients and currently registered pesticides that have significant new uses approved by the EPA. Brief two-page summary documents are prepared with each review highlighting the projected use of the pesticide in Minnesota, select label language, toxicity and exposure information, and details on its environmental fate. Summary documents are currently available for 47 active ingredients (www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/pesticides/regs/newreviews). 

The MDA also performs more extensive reviews on select pesticides or pesticide groups (www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-special-registration-reviews). 

Pesticide Use & Sales Data 
The MDA publishes annual pesticide sales data for pesticide active ingredients based on pesticide registrant reporting requirements. Minnesota pesticide sales information is available in a searchable database: www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-pesticide-sales-information. 

The MDA also publishes sales and use reports for pesticides based on survey data www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/pesticide-use-sales-data. 

Waste Pesticide Collection & Disposal 
The MDA’s resources related to waste pesticide collection and disposal are available at: www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/waste-pesticide-collection-program 

For information related to the disposal of pesticide treated seed, see the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s treated seed factsheet: www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw4-51.pdf