Subdivision 1. License. A person who offers certification services to producers as part of the program must satisfy all criteria in subdivision 2 and be licensed by the commissioner. A certifying agent is ineligible to provide certification services to any producer to whom the certifying agent has also provided technical assistance. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may set license fees.
Subd. 2. Certifying agent requirements. In order to be licensed as a certifying agent, a person must:
(1) be an agricultural conservation professional employed by a soil and water conservation district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a Minnesota certified crop advisor recognized by the American Society of Agronomy, or an individual with agricultural conservation experience approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish eligibility criteria by rule;
(2) have passed a comprehensive exam, as set by the commissioner, evaluating knowledge of water quality, soil health, best farm management techniques, and the certification instrument; and
(3) maintain continuing education requirements as set by the commissioner.
History:2013 c 114 art 2 s 8