A cooperative center formed within the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, Minnesota Extension Service, and the University of Minnesota to focus on research concerning water quality relating to agricultural management practices. Water is one of Minnesota's plentiful and valuable resources. Its high quality supports a very productive agricultural economy, an abundant fauna of fish and wildlife, and a large and profitable tourist industry. Water is a natural resource that should be protected and maintained at any cost.
Agriculture is a major contributor to Minnesota's economy.
At the same time, cropland is subjected to large inputs of agricultural chemicals. Minnesota ranks fifth in the nation in fertilizer nitrogen use and third in the use of pesticides. Pesticide use is predominately herbicides, but significant amounts of insecticides and fungicides are used in certain areas. The potential for transport of these chemicals into waters is great. Since these chemicals are applied in large quantities, and some of them are toxic at very low concentrations, water contamination has serious consequences.