What is on-farm secondary containment? 

On-farm secondary containment is a physical barrier that inhibits contamination of the environment from a spilled or misplaced bulk liquid fertilizer and allows recovery of spilled product.   

Why is on-farm secondary containment an issue?

• Minnesota law prohibits storage of bulk liquid fertilizer for more than "in season" storage of approximately 30 days without secondary containment. 

• The deadline for compliance is September 30, 2007.

Why should I consider building on-farm secondary containment?

• Secondary containment brings you into compliance with Minnesota State law.
• Preordering bulk liquid fertilizer with secondary containment gets you into the field faster.
• Secondary containment saves you money when bulk liquid fertilizer is ordered and delivered in bulk off-season.
• Spilled product is recoverable from a secondary containment saving you money.   
• Secondary containment saves you money and a headache by avoiding environmental cleanup action (very expensive!).
• Becoming a dealer of secondary containment makes you money!

Just ask the largest potato grower in the world, R.D. Offutt, about Baumgartner Environics, Inc. (BEI) secondary containment!  R. D. Offutt produces 1.8 billion pounds of potatoes a year and supplies major chains like McDonalds and Ore-Ida.   R.D. Offutt needs bulk liquid fertilizer on their farms to ensure timely spring entry and adequate supply for planting.

BEI enrolled R.D. Offutt as a dealer of secondary containments and began working with Larry Monico to construct secondary containment systems tailored to their individual farm sites.  In some instances fuel tanks have been included in the system design to improve site logistics.

BEI crews have extensive and comprehensive experience designing and constructing secondary containment.  We are able to work with the largest producer of potatoes in the world by being competitive on price, knowledgeable with our product and market, and by providing great service.  Call or e-mail Matt at BEI for more information!

MN Department of Agriculture Timelines

Tanks and appurtenances 0-5 years old must be in compliance by September 30, 2007.

Tanks greater than 15 years old or of unknown age must be inspected for integrity by a company with experience in above ground storage tank inspections.  If the tank inspections confirm the tank(s) integrity and the tank is good for continued service and all appurtenances are less than 5 years old, then the site must be in compliance by September 30, 2006.  Tanks with questionable integrity must be replaced with a newer tank.