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The MDA supports exhibiting companies with promotional and logistical support leading up to the show and on the ground in Chicago. Minnesota Pavilion events are offered through the MDA’s Make it Minnesota program, which works with Minnesota food and beverage companies on business and market development. Make it Minnesota aims to create and protect jobs, increase the use of Minnesota agricultural ingredients, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.

The MDA will also host a reception for Minnesota attendees of the trade show on Monday, May 20.

This year’s Minnesota Pavilion event is supported by partnering organizations Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI), Naturally Minnesota, and NearestYou.

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

Farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) have higher profits than non-certified farms, according to five years of data from the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence.

The “Influence of Intensified Environmental Practices on Farm Profitability” study examines financial and crop and livestock production information from farmers enrolled in the Minnesota State Farm Business Management education program. The 126 MAWQCP farms in the study saw more gross cash farm income and net farm income in 2023 than non-certified farms. Looking at five-year average data, the average net cash income for MAWQCP farms was over $213,600 compared to nearly $163,000 for non-MAWQCP farms. Other key financial metrics are also better for those enrolled in the MAWQCP, such as debt-to-asset ratios and operating expense ratios.

The five years of data serve as an indicator of a positive return on investment for whole-farm conservation management that farmers implement to become certified.

“We now have continuous data that shows the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program provides better economic outcomes on top of the benefits to our water and soil resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “With so many advantages to the MAWQCP, I encourage all farmers and landowners to look into certifying their land and contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information.”

“The MAWQCP producers participating in Farm Business Management can enhance farm profitability by benchmarking various aspects of their farm operations,” said Keith Olander, Executive Director of AgCentric, and Agricultural Partnerships. “This study shows that these producers operate with a higher level of efficiency compared to their peers.”

To find details on the economic study, visit: https://www.agcentric.org/farm-business-management/annual-fbm-reports/.

The MAWQCP puts farmers in touch with local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate any risks their farms pose to water quality on a field-by-field basis. Producers going through the certification process have priority access to financial assistance. After being certified, each farm is deemed in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years.

Since the program’s statewide launch in 2016, the 1,500 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certified farms have added more than 2,915 new conservation practices that protect Minnesota’s waters. Those new practices have kept over 48,250 tons of sediment out of Minnesota rivers while saving 144,125 tons of soil and nearly 60,375 pounds of phosphorous on farms each year. The conservation practices have also reduced nitrogen loss up to 49% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 58,250 tons per year.

Farmers and landowners interested in becoming water quality certified can contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District or visit MyLandMyLegacy.com.

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

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning to treat six areas in Carlton County and one area in St. Louis County to manage spongy moth infestations detected in those areas last fall. Officials plan to conduct the first of two rounds of aerial management activities likely the week of June 10.

The exact date and time of aerial management activities are heavily dependent on weather conditions and insect development. For the most up-to-date information on these activities, citizens are encouraged to sign up for text or email notifications.

• Receive text notifications by texting “MNMDA Treatments” to 66468.
• Receive email notifications by texting “MNMDA Treatments [your email address here]” to 66468.
• Or sign up online for text or email notifications.

All management areas in Carlton County are in the eastern portion of the county; the area in St. Louis County is just north of Meadowlands. Exact locations can be found via maps on the MDA website or an interactive map that is searchable by address. Citizens may notice a low-flying airplane as it navigates the treatment areas. The aerial management activities will start as early as 5 a.m. It may take multiple days to complete the first round of activities. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the noise of the plane.

This is the first of two aerial applications of Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) over each area. The second will take place 5-14 days after the first application. Btk is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other insects.

To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up a Report a Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website also has information about spongy moths and control efforts.

The MDA offers the following tips to residents in the management area:

• The management product has no known health effects for humans, but residents may wish to stay indoors during the management activities and keep windows closed for a half hour after application.
• Residents can cover gardens or turn on sprinklers if they wish.
• The residue does not cause damage to outdoor surfaces. However, soapy water will remove any residue on outdoor items.

Spongy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch, and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.

Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or reportapest@state.mn.us with questions regarding spongy moth and the planned treatment.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us