About the Farmers First Program
Nutrient recycling land application
The Farmers First nutrient recycling land application program offers free landspreading services to local farmers at no cost. All expenses such as hauling, labor, fuel, and equipment are paid for by the Metropolitan Council – there are no costs to the grower. A team of highly trained specialists are equipped with advanced machinery designed to reduce soil compaction, increase spreading accuracy, and optimize application rates to elevate fertilizer efficacy and crop yields.
Each fall after harvest, the Farmers First team works with growers through every step of the land application process assisting them with biosolids planning, safety, and community outreach. The team that manages the program has been trained and certified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Their key roles include safely transporting the compost to the site location, accurately spreading biosolids onto the desired fields, and acting as centralized communication specialists between the farmers and the community during the entire process.
The Farmers First program follows industry quality standards and best management practices that were developed and are monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Control Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Adhering to their guidance and standards helps ensure that our processes, methods, and products are of the safest and highest quality for public health and the environment.