News Releases

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News Release Archives

For further information concerning these and other press releases, please contact Michael Schommer, Communications Director at Michael.Schommer@state.mn.us or Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator at Margaret.Hart@state.mn.us or 651-201-6131.

2012 News Releases

MDA planning gypsy moth suppression treatments for northeastern Minnesota in 2012 / 2012 Proposed Gypsy Moth Treatment Areas February 8
Minnesota seeks lookouts for invasive pests February 1
Specialty crop growers can apply for grants to boost their businesses January 27
MDA invites farmers to February 15 nutrient management conference in Morton January 25
FAQ about farmers’ markets answered at upcoming conference January 24
Four agriculture research and promotion councils seek board candidates January 24
Minnesota farmer-author to share his conversations with the land January 10
MDA issues consumer advisory for Pepin Heights Orchards Honeycrisp apple cider January 6
Make sure your business skills are as good as your growing skills January 4

2011 News Releases

MDA warns of Christmas trees that may be harboring pests December 22
Registration discount ends Dec. 30 for Minnesota Organic Conference December 19
MDA winter workshops will help growers "think spring" December 13
MDA and partners use new detection method to find emerald ash borer December 12
MDA warns consumers to look out for invasive weed in holiday decorations December 1
Media Advisory: Media invited to get firsthand look at invasive weeds mistaken for holiday decorations November 30
Don’t let pests come into your home this holiday season November 28
Get early registration discount for 2012 Minnesota Organic Conference November 28
Christmas tree crop looks lush and plentiful! November 21
Minnesota Turkey Council seeks candidates for Board of Directors November 21
Save the date for the Minnesota Organic Conference November 16
MDA confirms brown marmorated stink bug detection in Hennepin County November 15
Media Advisory: Winona County field day planned for emerald ash borer identification November 10
MDA to sponsor video conference on state’s grazing needs November 9
Winona County field day planned for emerald ash borer identification November 7
State venison donation program available for deer hunters in 2011 November 3
Popular class on raising bison scheduled in November October 31
Salmonella illnesses linked to organic eggs / Larry Schultz Customer List - Groceries October 19
Reminder to organic farmers to sign up for certification cost-share October 17
MDA urges farmers to monitor soil temperature when planning fall herbicide applications October 13
Options plentiful for family friendly fun on the farm! October 12
Five Minnesota counties issue more than $10 million in loans to farmers October 6
FDA awards $1 million rapid-response grant to Minnesota Department of Agriculture October 4
Media Advisory: MDA introducing stingless wasps to fight emerald ash borer near St. Paul’s Summit Ave. September 29
Learn how to start a farmers’ market at upcoming workshops September 26
Vietnam trade mission presents unique market opportunities for Minnesota ag companies September 23
MDA and DNR to host open houses on emerald ash borer September 23
MDA warns consumers about shipping apples to several western states September 21
MDA encourages safety and awareness this upcoming harvest season September 14
Orchards are brimming with abundant apple harvest September 14
MDA concludes EAB insecticide special registration review September 13
MDA urges caution when handling or applying anhydrous ammonia this fall September 8
Students offered more locally grown foods in school lunches this year September 7
Organic farming profits rise in 2010 August 31
MDA confirms two new emerald ash borer infestations in southeastern Minnesota August 26
Researchers to share results of blackberry production August 22
MDA warning homeowners about grass clippings from lawns treated with Imprelis August 16
Register to win free groceries at the MDA State Fair booth August 15
You could win free groceries for a year! August 15
Organic certification cost share program now accepting applications August 15
Media Advisory: Field day features research in hops production in Minnesota August 12
MDA protects state’s walnut trees from deadly disease August 11
Online tool helps farmers consider new enterprises August 9
Governor Dayton proclaims August 7-13 as Farmers Market Week / Proclamation August 4
Popular Farmers Feed US grocery sweepstakes starts August 15! August 3
MDA confirms emerald ash borer infestation in Shoreview July 22
MDA receives grant to survey consumer trends July 20
MDA officials set to combat gypsy moth in St. Louis, Lake, Cook and Carlton Counties July 14
MDA announces weed alert in Washington County July 12
Minnesota agricultural exports up 22 percent in 2010 July 8
Researchers to show results of high tunnel raspberry production July 8
Field day to show organic mushroom production in a northern climate July 8
On-farm field day to demonstrate growing success of cold-hardy cherry July 8
MDA to combat gypsy moth in Duluth by stopping moths from mating July 8
Wholesaler/distributor representative needed on Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force July 7
MDA issues consumer advisory for Purina One Vibrant Maturity 7+ Adult Premium Dry Cat Food / Image of Cat Food Bag July 1
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic July 12-15 in Traverse County June 30
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic July 13 in Roseau County June 30
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic July 6-8 in Meeker County June 30
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic July 8-9 in Hubbard County June 30
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic July 18-20 in Douglas County June 30
Fresh, homegrown strawberries are ripe and ready for picking June 24
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic June 29-30 in Lyon County June 22
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic June 28-30 in Kittson County June 22
Buyers Mission offers economical export opportunity for food, ag companies June 15
Strawberry season running late, but looking great June 14
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic in Koochiching County the week of June 20th June 10
MDA set to conduct Duluth gypsy moth eradication this Sunday June 9
Media Advisory - MDA introducing new allies to fight emerald ash borer in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties June 7
State dairy farmers continue to show superior dairy cow care / 2010 MDA Top Lowest SCC List June 3
Minnesota Department of Agriculture launches 2011 gypsy moth trapping program May 26
MDA introducing natural ally in Twin Cities’ fight against emerald ash borer May 25
Media Advisory - Twin Cities gypsy moth treatment scheduled Tuesday, May 24 May 23
MDA set to conduct Twin Cities gypsy moth eradication week of May 23 May 19
Governor Dayton proclaims May 22-28 Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week / EAB Awareness Week Proclamation May 19
MDA announces new resources to help root out problem weeds in Minnesota May 12
MDA urges home owners to check license status of firms offering to do lawn treatments May 5
Ag research and promotion councils elect new representatives May 5
Upcoming Workshop Explores Fruit of the Vine May 3
Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force needs seven new members May 2
CSA farms provide a summer of fresh, healthy foods April 29
MDA advises consumers to be aware when buying landscaping plants April 26
Now in season – the new Minnesota Grown Directory! April 19
MDA announces 2011 EAB detection trapping survey April 14
Cottage Grove woman appointed to Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force April 12
Ounce of prevention better than a pound of cure when it comes to bed bugs April 11
Minnesota to Apply for Statewide TB-Free Status April 8
Weekly Crop and Weather reports available from National Agricultural Statistics Service, Minnesota Field Office April 6
Media Advisory: Ag students use cheeseburgers to teach inner-city kids where they get their food March 31
National science organization recognizes efforts to slow the spread of gypsy moths March 14
Governor Dayton proclaims March 13-19 Minnesota Agriculture Week March 11
MDA laboratory testing confirms E. coli O157:H7 in recalled hazelnuts March 9
Multi-state investigation links E. coli O157:H7 cases to eating in-shell hazelnuts / Hazelnut Recall Distribution List March 4
MDA planning gypsy moth suppression treatments for North Shore locations in 2011 March 1
MDA releases results of three commodity council elections February 25
MDA implements exterior quarantine to protect state’s walnut trees from deadly disease February 24
Commissioner Frederickson appoints Charlie Poster as Assistant Commissioner February 14
Consumer representative needed on Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force February 9
MDA and NRCS inviting farmers to participate in 2011 Nutrient Management Initiative February 9
Minnesota Grown Directory celebrates 30 years of promoting local foods! February 8
Two candidates sought for Rural Finance Authority Board February 8
Minnesota seeking to train a new set of lookouts for invasive pests February 3
MDA Commissioner applauds EPA ruling on increased ethanol use January 21
MDA planning gypsy moth eradication treatments for three metro locations in 2011 January 21
Grants available to help specialty crop growers stay competitive January 21
Commissioner Frederickson appoints Matthew Wohlman as Assistant Commissioner January 18
Minnesota is first stop for China trade delegation January 14
MDA invites farmers to February 15 nutrient management conference in Rochester January 7
Two southern Minnesota families named Good Farm Neighbors January 6
Essentials of organic farming featured at upcoming Minnesota Organic Conference January 5
New Year, New Sweepstakes from the Farmers Feed US Campaign January 3

2010 News Releases

MDA issues consumer advisory for Pepin Heights Orchard apple cider December 30
Minnesota commodity councils seek candidates to fill board vacancies December 28
The Splendid Table® Host Lynne Rossetto Kasper Headlines Minnesota Organic Conference December 20
Media Advisory: Two $5,000 winners of Farmers Feed US Campaign to be announced December 15
Registration discount ends Friday for 2011 Minnesota Organic Conference December 13
MDA asks Minnesotans to watch for invasive vine sometimes mistaken for holiday staple December 10
Back by popular demand – the Minnesota Organic Conference December 6
Minnesota specialty crop producers and programs get boost from USDA December 6
MDA YouTube videos cut consumer confusion about organic December 2
Improve your farm biodiversity with mob grazing and native pollinators December 1
Minnesota Wheat Council seeks nominations and outlines election process November 29
Learn about the hottest agricultural export markets at MDA workshop November 29
State concludes atrazine special registration review November 23
MDA confirms first detection of brown marmorated stink bug in Minnesota November 22
A Minnesota Grown Christmas tree – the only real choice November 18
Farmers’ market vendors encouraged to attend regional workshops November 15
New scholarship available for organic farming education November 8
Pope county pork farmers named Good Farm Neighbor Award winners November 4
Farmers in 29 counties can apply for recovery aid November 3
Minnesota Grown sponsors “Bison 101” class November 1
MDA enforcing county quarantines to slow the spread of emerald ash borer October 29
MDA promotes a world of agricultural trade opportunities October 29
National FFA honors two MDA employees October 22
State increases use of E85 nearly 10-fold in five years October 18
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner comments on EPA announcement regarding E15 October 13
MDA offers online video to help homeowners test private wells for atrazine October 11
Farmers in flood-impacted areas urged to carefully assess the status of their grain October 7
Organic certification cost share deadline is October 30 October 5
Farmers encouraged to follow best-management practices for fall nitrogen applications September 29
Benton County dairy farmers named Good Farm Neighbor Award winners September 29
SEOC - MDA urges farmers with flood damage to take advantage of assistance September 28
Dairy Research and Promotion Council Seeks Candidates September 27
Minnesota wineries offer sipping, stomping, sight-seeing September 27
USDA to upgrade majority of Minnesota to TB-Free in October September 23
(Split State Status Map / Modified Accredited Advanced Zone)
MDA introducing new ally to fight emerald ash borer in Houston County September 22
New MDA report shows increase in certified organic farms September 22
Livestock grazing management strategies highlighted in new publication September 17
MDA encourages safety and awareness this upcoming harvest season September 16
Good Farm Neighbor Award winner focuses on cow comfort September 1
Organic farmers not immune to economic slump August 31
Apple season arrives early August 25
Fair, food, fun and…free groceries! August 24
MDA offers help to farmers with grain storage shortages August 20
Field day features research in growing strawberries August 17
On-farm field day to demonstrate use of cover crops August 17
Apply now for organic certification rebate August 16
Pope County’s Prairie Horizons Farm wins MDA honor August 13
Sign up to win free groceries at MDA State Fair booth! August 11
MDA to offer free nitrate testing clinic at Fun Days in Benton County on August 21 August 11
MDA Laboratory helping verify safety of Gulf Coast seafood August 4
Celery or cilantro? Can you name that farmers market food? July 29
Assistant Commissioner Joe Martin to leave MDA July 28
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner comments on death of Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen July 22
Ethanol industry pumps $2.5 billion into state’s economy July 22
Saudi Arabia export opportunities await Minnesota food and ag companies July 16
Blueberries are busting out all over July 13
MDA officials set to combat gypsy moth infestation in St. Louis and Lake Counties July 6
MDA offering free irrigation water testing to help farmers figure nitrate levels June 29
MDA urges homeowners to follow EAB quarantine rules as they clean up after storms June 28
Kanabec County family wins monthly MDA award June 28
Election results announced for five research and promotion councils June 24
MDA urges farmers with storm damage to take advantage of assistance programs June 23
Two Minnesota cases of Salmonella infection linked to national recall of frozen meals June 18
MDA Loan Program Hits Milestone / Media Advisory June 15
Get your pails and buckets ready for berry picking season! June 9
MDA promotes water quality assurance program June 7
State testing matches E. coli bacteria from Gibbon farm with those from ill consumers June 3
Blue Diamond Dairy is Good Neighbor June 2
Media Advisory: Ag students use cheeseburgers to teach inner-city kids where they get their food June 1
E. coli illnesses traced to raw milk from Gibbon dairy farm May 26
MDA offering free irrigation water testing to help farmers figure nitrate levels May 19
Minnesota Department of Agriculture launches 2010 gypsy moth trapping program May 11
New guide helps homeowners weigh emerald ash borer treatment options May 7
Central Minnesota yak farmer named Good Farm Neighbor May 4
MDA distributing updated pesticide best-management practices to farmers May 3
MDA to tackle gypsy moth infestations in St. Louis and Lake Counties May 3
MDA confirms emerald ash borer infestation in Houston County April 29
Research and promotion councils elect new representatives April 29
MDA reminds Minnesotans to protect lakes and rivers by following fertilizer laws April 28
State dairy farmers continue to show superior dairy cow care / List of Producers April 28
Buy local. It’s all the rage. April 28
Minnesota Department of Agriculture issues advisory for dried uneviscerated fish April 16
Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service resumes weekly crop and weather reports April 6
Woodards of Winona win MDA award March 30
MDA invites Twin Cities residents to April 1 public meeting on emerald ash borer March 23
State recognizes agriculture sector with special designation March 12
MDA grant program promotes sustainable farming ideas and innovations March 8
Rural Sleepy Eye farmers win Good Farm Neighbor Award March 4
Minnesota Turkey Council elects new members February 26
MDA confirms emerald ash borer infestation in Minneapolis trees February 25
New federal guidance will impact organic livestock producers February 23
Results to be released on controlled drainage research project February 23
MDA announces $1 million in livestock investment grants February 18
MDA to tackle gypsy moth infestations in St. Louis and Lake Counties this summer February 17
Marketing expert Jane Eckert headlines Minnesota Grown winter workshop February 17
Dairy Research & Promotion Council elects board members February 16
Sign up now for season-long CSA sensations February 12
Show your love with Minnesota grown flowers February 10
Survey shows Minnesota a leader in organic farming February 5
MFAN volunteers step up to help farm families February 5
Minnesota seeking to train a new set of lookouts for invasive pests February 4
Attention Specialty Crop Growers: Grant Apps Available February 4
Wheat growers approve higher check-off rate February 1
Winona farmers receive MDA Good Farm Neighbor Award February 1