Farmers First is a nutrient recycling land application program that has served Minnesota’s east central farming community for the past 35 years. The program uses biosolids, a treated renewable soil amendment that replenishes valuable nutrients and organic matter back into depleted agricultural fields. This treatment improves soil health and increasing crop yields.
The nutrient-rich fertilizer alternative is produced locally at the Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant and has several advantages over synthetic chemical and manure fertilizers. It is a natural, renewable resource.
The Met Council has temporarily suspended our biosolids land application program as part of our unwavering commitment to protecting public waterways and parklands.
This strategic pause allows us to adapt to new regulatory requirements specifically designed to reduce PFAS contamination at its source.
Farmer First is a free land application program offered by the Metropolitan Council to local east central Minnesota agricultural growers.
Biosolids are produced by renewing recycled wastewater into nutrient-rich fertilizers that are later land applied to improve soil health and increase crop yields.
The biosolids produced for the Farmers First program undergo a rigorous set of treatment processes and testing procedures to ensure that they meet the highest quality and safety standards.