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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding farmers and commercial applicators that fall nitrogen fertilizer applications are restricted in some areas of the state. Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. Areas with coarse-textured soils or areas above fractured bedrock or karst geology are the most vulnerable to nitrate-nitrogen loss and groundwater contamination.

The restrictions begin September 1 each year. Farmers are encouraged to check the online map prior to fall application to determine if their fields are subject to these restrictions. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state. For more information on the restrictions outlined in the Groundwater Protection Rule, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr.

In other areas of the state where fall nitrogen fertilizer application is allowed, the MDA advises farmers and commercial applicators to check soil temperatures and wait until the average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler. Research shows that delaying fall application of anhydrous ammonia and urea fertilizer, as well as manure, helps prevent nitrogen loss, protects water quality, and ensures more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.

To assist tracking soil temperature, the MDA provides access to real-time, 4 and 6-inch soil temperatures at 70 locations across the state. View the interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history.

Although the soil temperature network was established to support application of nitrogen fertilizer, it is equally useful for those applying manure in the fall. University of Minnesota Extension recommends the same temperature delay (after soil temperature is below 50 degrees F) to prevent leaching losses.

For more information on the Six-inch Soil Temperature Network visit www.mda.state.mn.us/soiltemp.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Emerging Farmers’ Working Group (EFWG) has openings for nine volunteer members for two-year terms. Minnesotans interested in making it easier for new and emerging farmers to create or sustain an agricultural business are encouraged to apply today.

“The work of the Emerging Farmers’ Working Group is critically important in helping identify barriers to entering the field of agriculture and creating resources to support new and emerging farmers in our state,” said Assistant MDA Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “It will become even more so in the coming years, as we staff up our Emerging Farmers Office and build out the MDA’s emerging farmers programs.”

Everyone is welcome to apply. The MDA is particularly interested in the following perspectives:

• Women
• Veterans
• Persons with a disability/disabilities
• American Indian/Alaska Native
• Member of a community of color
• LGBTQIA+
• Young (35 years old and under)
• Urban (reside in cities with 5k+ population)

The deadline to apply for EFWG membership is at noon on October 1, 2024. The MDA website has the membership application and more information on the EFWG page. Email your questions to the Emerging Farmer Office at mda.emerging.farmers@state.mn.us.

Thank you to our current and departing members for your participation.

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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for grants to support innovative sustainability-focused research or demonstration projects on Minnesota farms.

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant funds projects that explore the energy efficiency, environmental benefit, and profitability of sustainable ag techniques, from the production through marketing processes. Minnesota farmers or individuals from organizations including agricultural cooperatives, educational institutions, nonprofits, tribal governments, and local units of government (such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts) are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must test and demonstrate on-farm practices that will benefit a broad range of farmers. Past grants have explored topics such as cover crops and crop rotation; conservation tillage; pest management techniques; input reduction strategies; and alternative energies such as wind, methane, and biomass.

The MDA will award approximately $350,000 in this round of grant funding, and applicants may request up to $50,000 per project. No cash match is required for requests below $25,000. However, for requests between $25,000 and $50,000, applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match.

Projects must last two to three years, and grantees are asked to share what they learn through outreach efforts. Project updates are published annually in the MDA’s Greenbook, which provides a summary of each project along with results, management tips, locations of previous projects, and other resources.

The AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant program will accept applications through 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024. To apply and read the full request for proposals (RFP), visit the grant webpage.

Funding for this grant is made available through the MDA’s AGRI Program, which administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout Minnesota to advance the state’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us

Many farmers and custom applicators will soon apply anhydrous ammonia (NH3) after harvest. Even with a rush against time and the weather, safety should never be compromised. Accidents involving NH3 have proven how dangerous and deadly the fertilizer can be when not handled properly.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers the following tips to farmers, fertilizer dealers, and custom applicators to safely field apply NH3.

• Always wear NH3-rated goggles and gloves. Never wear contact lenses.
• Be sure to have a clean and accessible emergency water supply of at least 5 gallons available.
• Exercise caution when making connections and disconnections of transfer lines, treating them as if they always contain NH3.
• Stand upwind when connecting, disconnecting, bleeding lines, or transferring NH3. Also, close, bleed, disconnect, and secure valves and transfer lines when taking breaks or disconnecting lines, and be sure to handle hose end valves by the valve body.
• Position equipment away and downwind from homes, people, and livestock.

Safety is also key to those maintaining NH3 equipment, operating NH3 storage facilities, and transporting NH3.

• Never assume NH3 lines are empty.
• Always wear the required protective safety equipment.
• Have access to safety water (NH3 storage facilities must have a minimum of one open top container holding 150 gallons of clean, accessible water or an accessible emergency shower with a plumbed eyewash. A 5-gallon container of clean, accessible water must accompany NH3 nurse tanks).

When towing a nurse tank down the road, drive sensibly. Do not go any faster than 30 miles per hour, display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem visible from the rear, and be sure the tank is secured to the tractor or truck with two separate, independent chains that supplement the hitch pin/clip.

If an accident or spill occurs, seek medical care if needed, immediately call 911, and then the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798.

You can find more safety, storage, and transportation information on the MDA’s website.

As a reminder, fall application of NH3 should happen after average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler to help prevent nitrogen loss and ensure more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.

View the MDA’s interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history.

Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable groundwater areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us