http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/rss-feeds/mda-news.aspxNews from the Minnesota Dept. of Agricultureen2010http://www.mda.state.mn.us/~/media/Images/news/catNews_headerL.ashx?h=181&w=208http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/rss-feeds/mda-news.aspx{D587C343-423E-4C94-94CC-CC94797AD90A}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-17johnson.aspxThe owners of a St. James meat processing company are the recipients of a Value Added Grants distributed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Dustin and Nicole Johnson are among nearly 50 Minnesota farmers, producers and processors to receive a Value Added Grant.Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:30:00 -0500{B4FDF348-5A46-4179-985C-4052F0490937}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-17-brandt.aspxBrandt Gardens and Greenhouse of Lakefield, Minnesota is among nearly 50 Minnesota farmers, producers and processors to receive a Value Added Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:02:00 -0500{789AD2E1-6041-4BE9-8276-1360497230BB}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-17-bpost.aspxMinnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson has announced the recipients of the state’s latest round of Livestock Investment Grants. Nearly 100 producers were selected to share $1.1 million in grants aimed at boosting the state’s livestock sector.Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:46:00 -0500{DE413AF6-D5C6-435D-88C0-71500E049D91}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-17nlights.aspxHe may be young and still in high school, but a Redwood Falls area entrepreneur will expand his sales of lamb with the help of a Value Added Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:31:00 -0500{F521AA05-D110-4718-8B97-50CF1DE0C2B3}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-17welcome.aspxA Martin County meat processor is getting an upgrade thanks to a Value Added Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Keith and Sandra Winter, owners of Welcome Meats of Welcome, Minnesota, are among nearly 50 Minnesota farmers, producers and processors to receive a Value Added Grant.Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:45:00 -0500{3ADBC28A-7B51-4D0B-99EE-F6BEFC90305D}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-12-mildew.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed presence of impatiens downy mildew in the state again this year. Caused by a fungus, impatiens downy mildew damages leaves resulting in unmarketable plants.Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:06:00 -0500{7F47FB76-17F8-4EB7-A452-50E784ADCC40}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-10-water.aspxU.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton today officially launched a new agricultural water quality pilot program designed to enhance water quality in the state.Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:11:00 -0500{6F4EAD0B-B15E-4545-A1F9-CEE3022B9299}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-06-05-scc100.aspxIn honor of June Dairy Month, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson today released the annual Top 100 list of Minnesota dairy farms demonstrating superior dairy herd management skills as measured by their cows’ low somatic cell count (SCC) average.Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:47:00 -0500{31DE43E0-39E4-4857-9317-033A27980CB9}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-05-31mngrown.aspxThe new Minnesota Grown Directory boasts a record number of farms and other local listings where consumers can buy direct from the producer. The 2013-14 edition features 970 listings including wineries, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, Christmas tree farms and lots, garden centers, meat and dairy producers, and orchards.Fri, 31 May 2013 10:34:00 -0500{E92E585B-9E9D-4201-BE8A-E331D1B506CA}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-05-20-lawn.aspxMDA reminds Minnesotans to use lawn pesticides and fertilizers with careFri, 17 May 2013 15:49:00 -0500{E6232564-8702-4587-A89C-6E7EF31C9031}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-05-17-eab.aspxMinnesotans encouraged to observe Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week.Fri, 17 May 2013 15:49:00 -0500{0EEB454F-545B-437C-AE9E-2BCF109649E9}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-05-16-gmtrap.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture will set nearly 14,500 gypsy moth traps across Minnesota this spring as part of its annual program to monitor Minnesota’s forests and urban areas for new infestations of the destructive tree pest.Thu, 16 May 2013 15:38:00 -0500{96DE74AA-9891-43C5-B9B7-7F883DB93987}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-05-03-turkey.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Turkey Growers Association will lead a trade promotion trip to China this week to provide promotional and education activities to Chinese chefs and retailers.Fri, 03 May 2013 10:49:00 -0500{4C0B5F91-8DD9-446D-BDF8-A8CEA21C1FEF}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-30-plants.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding consumers to check viability and cold hardiness before purchasing trees, shrubs and other plants for landscaping.Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:07:00 -0500{CE969B26-BA07-40A6-B913-8BDF4DC75DAC}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-25mngrown.aspxWinners of the second annual “Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Awards” were announced yesterday at the Minnesota Grocers Association’s annual industry luncheon in Bloomington.Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:11:00 -0500{2D6D67E5-9A4A-4438-A9AC-7C61B106CD28}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-18-survey.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is in the process of conducting its annual pesticide and fertilizer use survey of Minnesota farmers.Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:48:00 -0500{EDCD93F8-57E6-4995-89BC-1B3BA9430E50}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-17-micro.aspxThe Minnesota Rural Finance Authority (RFA) is now offering a new microloan program designed for new, underserved borrowers with farm capital needs. The RFA’s Agricultural Microloan Program is a pilot program designed to assist farmers that have modest lending needs and that may lack the experience and records typically required by other agricultural lenders.Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:52:00 -0500{6B08FAD4-7B34-476E-B941-467A882705E5}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-16-scbg.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting grant proposals for specialty crop research under the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program. The goal of the program is to fund projects that will increase the competitiveness of specialty crops. The MDA anticipates a federal allocation of $671,000.Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0500{5B652866-F58C-4943-A61C-5AD1C6B73E4B}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-08-drift.aspxBefore spring fieldwork starts in earnest, growers of organic and other sensitive crops should consider signing up for the Driftwatch™ registry offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:28:00 -0500{D1C5D969-5A2E-4AEE-A15B-F88339D9D5C8}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-08-crops.aspxBeginning today, Minnesota farmers can turn to a vital source for information on their crops and weather by referring to the weekly crop and weather report from the Minnesota Field Office of the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:42:00 -0500{B3CB5E29-4AB3-4520-AB68-578AC9EE33F0}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-04-03sausage.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid consuming smoked pork and beef pepper sticks produced by Belgrade Meat Center, Belgrade, Minn., after routine product sampling discovered the products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:55:00 -0500{CB323F17-9EF2-486A-A2BF-23DB70D1CBEC}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-21electsm.aspxFour Minnesota commodity research and promotion councils are seeking candidates for their upcoming board of directors’ elections. The Canola, Dry Edible Bean, Sunflower, and Area One Potato Research and Promotion Councils are looking for candidates to represent commodity farmers in their region.Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:22:00 -0500{FB6BC6D4-7A54-4E06-ACB6-C15CB59118CD}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-21elects2.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has released the results of the Minnesota Dairy Research and Promotion Council and the Area Two Potato Research and Promotion Council elections. These councils play an important role in coordinating the ongoing development and promotion of Minnesota’s farm products.Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:45:00 -0500{E88CBBF3-30C7-40A4-A68F-40119107E4CD}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-15-bmsbug.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed a detection of brown marmorated stink bug in Duluth. This is the first time the pest has been found in St. Louis County. The previous northern-most find was in Wyoming, Minnesota in Chisago County.Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:06:00 -0500{605D7487-20E1-4BEB-A037-7F7304155C85}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-15-agweek.aspxGovernor Mark Dayton has proclaimed March 17-23, 2013 as Minnesota Agriculture Week. The designation is an effort to raise awareness of the positive and important contributions agriculture makes to Minnesota’s economy and its people.Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:11:00 -0500{B8381A02-9506-4D20-B22F-2224224C8F2B}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-14-naitc.aspxThe “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is hosting the “Land of 10,000 Ag Opportunities” at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference June 25-28 in Minneapolis.Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:26:00 -0500{D4C052C8-3358-4974-9483-BFEF26C60B2F}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-12petfood.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid feeding or handling two separate brands of poultry-based raw pet food after the MDA laboratory found Salmonella bacteria in routine sample tests.Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:36:00 -0500{1035DA1B-6030-4C7D-A9A6-0BF4F15C51C5}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-03-07farmmkt.aspxFarmers market managers and vendors from across Minnesota will be the first to hear the results of customer research conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Program. The new research will be presented at the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association’s Spring Conference on March 21 in Waite Park.Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:35:00 -0600{5925784B-5AF8-437A-8DC7-499577811B42}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-26-mawqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in St. Cloud on Thursday, February 28, to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:07:00 -0600{70E57556-537F-48F5-96D9-F4BA1789D442}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-19-mawqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in Crookston, Minnesota, on Thursday, February 21, to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:32:00 -0600{2E12E3DE-4748-420F-8F55-8000218B215F}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-15specrop.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages specialty crop growers and small farm operators to take part in an intensive, one day business plan writing workshop to be held in Hutchinson on March 9, 2012.Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:22:00 -0600{C1D6831B-F18C-4D81-A25B-1F55C651F5F1}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-15-mawqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in Roseville, on Tuesday, February 19, to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:55:00 -0600{21376B0E-308E-42AC-9540-0B5172CB2708}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-11-mawqcp.aspxMinnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson is seeking recommendations for pilot project watershed areas for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The program is designed to accelerate voluntary adoption of agricultural practices that enhance water quality.Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:42:00 -0600{16183294-2342-42B3-A3EC-72005FA9D013}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-08-detect.aspxMinnesota is looking for volunteers to join the “first detector” early warning system to help keep an eye out for new infestations of invasive pests.Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:12:00 -0600{6A62232A-DBF5-452C-A9F5-EF0918F10653}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-07-awqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in Stewartville on Tuesday, February 12 to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:59:00 -0600{661FD67B-F59D-4174-8AC2-8EA9FF974906}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-07-gmopen.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are looking to tackle gypsy moth infestations in northeastern Minnesota this summer.Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:58:00 -0600{A1BD0346-1C69-4032-9A35-3CED6C000ACA}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-06agrigr.aspxMinnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has another round of funding available for projects that will help farmers, producers and processors add value to their operations.Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:22:00 -0600{F3FE82A9-4626-4639-ACAD-AC2C0CC67915}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-01-eab3.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed three new emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations, one in Minneapolis, and two in St. Paul. The Minneapolis find is in Lakewood Cemetery near the intersection of King’s Highway and 38th Street.Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:02:00 -0600{25265602-2FDC-404B-97C1-223E980E9B02}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-01-awqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a listening session in Worthington, this coming Monday, February 4 to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:47:00 -0600{718388F8-7043-4295-9C57-7220E6368A06}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-02-01-f2srfp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2013 Farm to School Grant Program. MDA anticipates awarding $250,000 in competitive grants to increase sales of locally grown and raised food products to K-12 institutions.Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:50:00 -0600{FE2F1630-6796-4817-8BF2-02DE538463D0}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-22-mawqcp.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture will hold listening session at six locations throughout the state in February to gather input on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:04:00 -0600{45B3B899-9559-4BAB-B751-50B096A61F0C}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-16mngrown.aspxMinnesota farmers and farmers markets that sell products directly to consumers are invited to purchase a listing in the new Minnesota Grown Directory. The cost for a listing in the 2013 directory is $40 and interested farmers and markets must sign up by February 15.Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:54:00 -0600{B36BE43B-D692-43D9-B1AB-C54854590D92}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-08-detect.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota are joining forces to help detect new and emerging pests of fruit and vegetable crops. The first ever First Detector training for new and emerging pests of fruit and vegetable crops will be offered at the 2013 Upper Midwest Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference on January 16, 2013 in St. Cloud.Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:13:00 -0600{4AB6188D-E7A8-4327-A392-71045C01A965}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-02-eab.aspxThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed the first emerald ash borer (EAB) infested tree in the southeastern city of La Crescent, MN.Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0600{8AF29055-74F6-46FE-8EA9-8723153B6914}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-02-trade.aspxMinnesota food companies have a great opportunity to economically expand their market reach with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The Agricultural Marketing and Development Division is offering food companies, and others who add value to agricultural products, discounted booth space in “Minnesota Pavilions” at several prominent trade shows, and reimbursement of some costs associated with exhibiting at other wholesale food trade shows that are new to the company.Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:10:00 -0600{E15EF54C-E879-480A-86FB-FF7E405B77DF}http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2013/nr-2013-01-02council.aspxFour Minnesota agriculture research and promotion councils are seeking candidates for their board elections. Positions are open on the board of directors for the barley, beef, corn and soybean research and promotion councils.Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:32:00 -0600