What This Means for You and the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
At NuWay-K&H Cooperative, sustainability is part of how we do business every day. We’re proud to share that our ongoing commitment to responsible nutrient management has earned us a major milestone: NuWay-K&H is now fully 4R Certified across all of our locations, making us the first cooperative in Minnesota to receive company-wide certification.
This achievement isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about putting science-backed practices to work in your fields and showing leadership in an ever-evolving agriculture landscape.
What is 4R Certification?
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program encourages ag retailers to implement best management practices through the “4Rs” which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate, at the Right Time, and in the Right Place. This science-based approach provides a framework for efficient nutrient use, sustained crop production, and improved environmental outcomes.
Minnesota is one of six states offering the 4R Certification Program, which launched in 2020. The program is governed by the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Council and supported by the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) organization.
NuWay-K&H Cooperative has been following the 4R approach in how we advise and support our growers, so achieving full certification simply makes sense and formalizes the best practices we already live by. As part of the certification process, we completed a detailed third-party audit that evaluated our practices against 19 specific criteria, organized into three primary categories:
1. Training & Education
All agronomy team members, including our SoilView sampling partners, are trained in 4R practices. Many pursue CCA certification and regularly attend training to stay up to date. This ensures the recommendations you receive are grounded in science and sustainability.
2. Documentation & Monitoring
From soil test results and yield goals to application logs and equipment calibrations, we maintain detailed records to make sure every recommendation is traceable, transparent, and tailored to your operation.
3. Recommendations & Application
We apply nutrients using proven best practices, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus. Stabilizers are recommended when appropriate, application timing is based on field conditions, and our team uses variable rate technology (VRT) to enhance both efficiency and effectiveness.
What This Means for You
Achieving 4R Certification is not a one-time milestone for NuWay-K&H, but a long-term commitment to continuous improvement in sustainable nutrient management. The cooperative remains dedicated to ongoing staff training, regular re-certification audits, and staying aligned with evolving agronomic best practices. This certification strengthens NuWay-K&H’s position as a leader in responsible agriculture and opens the door to valuable opportunities for its growers, access to new programs and support in implementing new practices.
We’re proud to lead the way in Minnesota, and we’re even more proud to bring our growers along with us into a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Want to learn more about 4R Certification and how it can benefit your farm?
Talk to your NuWay-K&H agronomy Account Manager or visit https://4rcertified.org.