Justin Hanson, district manager for the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District, will join Gov. Mark Dayton today for a news conference concerning the new water quality buffer standards.

Dayton will thank Minnesota famers for their efforts to improve water quality statewide through compliance of the new standards.

Ahead of the first deadline for buffer installment on Nov. 1, Dayton and members of his cabinet will update reporters on the progress farmers and landowners have made to install water quality buffers, and describe next steps in this collaborative effort to improve water quality in communities across Minnesota.

The officials also will describe how farmers can apply for compliance waivers, and access financial and technical assistance to install water quality buffers.

Others in attendance will include, John Jaschke, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources; and Matt Wohlman, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.