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MDA responds: agency defends modeling, pledges stronger oversight and monitoring pilots
Summary
MDA Commissioner Tom Peterson told the commission the agency values OLA’s recommendations, has strengthened certifier audits and mid-certification reviews, and is drafting a monitoring plan while stressing that modeling calibrated with limited field data remains useful.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tom Peterson acknowledged the audit’s findings and described steps MDA has already taken and plans to take.
"I take the recommendations of the auditor, seriously, and we work on, addressing those and trying to make those things better," Peterson said, thanking the Office of the Legislative Auditor. He told commissioners MDA has audited certifiers, prioritized mid-certification reviews for high-risk producers, refined contingency guidance and advanced internal plans for water-quality monitoring. "We are drafting a proposal for the Clean Water Council addressing what monitoring plan would look like," Peterson said.
Peterson defended the use of modeled estimates but said MDA also collects edge-of-field monitoring data on a small set of farms that helps calibrate models. He emphasized reimbursement controls: payments typically follow documentation and receipts, and the program limits reimbursements to $5,000 and 75% of costs. He told the commission MDA wants to work with the Legislature on clarifying statutes and refining contingency use.
