Plans for a joint Minnesota-federal program to reduce agriculture pollution by encouraging voluntary farm conservation were unveiled Tuesday.

Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson agreed to develop the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program, which they say will be "designed to accelerate progress toward water quality goals while also giving Minnesota farmers greater regulatory and cost stability. Participating farmers will be prioritized for cost-share funding from federal and state agencies reducing the uncertainty of their operating environment."

Details are still to be developed, they said.

Up to $10 million could go to Minnesota farmers participating in the pilot program. The idea is for farmers to get special certification, technical assistance and government aid if they voluntarily agree to follow land management practices to soil erosion and runoff of fertilizers, pesticides and manure into streams and groundwater, the Associated Press said.

Said Vilsack:

“Establishment of this program will protect our water resources by providing assurances and incentives to participating farmers that their good deeds — their strong commitment to conservation — will be recognized. Farmers will know the rules of the game while the state, EPA and the public will know that this program will lead to cleaner water.”

Said Jackson:

"Clean, healthy waters are essential to the health of our people and to our nation's farmers. I believe that local conservation efforts, like those supported through this [memorandum of understanding], are among the most effective means for improving water quality in our nation."