The emergency quarantine restricts movement of all regulated articles outside of the emergency quarantine zone until the emergency quarantine is lifted. Residents living within the emergency quarantine area must self-inspect any regulated articles. The following is a list of examples of items that should be inspected:
- Lawn and garden equipment
- Outdoor household and patio items
- Recreational vehicles (RVs, campers, ATVs, etc.)
Trees may be pruned but all branches, woodchips and other woody material must stay on the property. Tree bark and branches have the highest risk of having egg masses attached. The emergency quarantine also requires that all outdoor household products, such as patio furniture, trucks, campers, or pallets be inspected to assure the article is free of spongy moth life stages before moving them out of the emergency quarantine zone.
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Yes, fall application of nitrogen fertilizer will be allowed in vulnerable groundwater areas or DWSMAs with high nitrate concentrations in wells, in the following situations*:
- to establish winter grains planted in the fall;
- for fall pasture fertilization;
- for perennial crops;
- for grass seed production;
- for cultivated wild rice;
- for research on fields 20 acres or less in size, or
- for growing fall cover crops within a potato rotation
*Must follow University of Minnesota nitrogen rate guidelines for each of the above.
There are additional exceptions and exemptions related to: soils with ultra-low permeability referenced in the rule; in areas with reduced leaching potential combined with a short spring planting season; and in counties where cropland makes up less than 3% of the total land area.
Ammoniated polyphosphate (MAP and DAP) and micronutrient formulations containing nitrogen can be applied as long as the applied rate does not exceed an average of 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre in a field. Fields with low or very low phosphorus levels, as determined by a certified lab, are exempt from this restriction.
Fall nitrogen fertilizer applications will also be allowed for agricultural research and demonstrations for academic purposes, provided the area is limited to 20 acres or less, or approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
These restrictions begin September 1, 2020.
Manufacturing food to sell to other businesses for resale (wholesaling) requires a food license. A food license requires that food is made and stored in approved facilities; not a home kitchen. The type of license needed, and the regulatory agency that will issue the license, is determined by who you want to sell to, the location food will be made and stored, and how/where sales will take place. There are several factors to consider in determining appropriate licensure. If you are interested in pursuing a food license, please submit the food licensing liaison request form available on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website - https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food-liaison-request.
Manufacturing food to sell to other businesses for resale (wholesaling) requires a food license. A food license requires that food is made and stored in approved facilities; not a home kitchen. The type of license needed, and the regulatory agency that will issue the license, is determined by who you want to sell to, the location food will be made and stored, and how/where sales will take place. There are several factors to consider in determining appropriate licensure. If you are interested in pursuing a food license, please submit the food licensing liaison request form available on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website - https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food-liaison-request.
Cottage foods can be sold from a stand at your home property if your local zoning authority allows it (some do not allow it in a residential area). If the stand will be unattended, it is advised to consider the potential risks and how you might prevent those from happening - such as protection of the food from pests, weather, dust, contamination/tampering from people, handling money, camera, etc. - to ensure you are selling a safe, unadulterated food to the public, as required by law. All labeling and signage requirements still apply.
Cottage foods can be sold from a stand at your home property if your local zoning authority allows it (some do not allow it in a residential area). If the stand will be unattended, it is advised to consider the potential risks and how you might prevent those from happening - such as protection of the food from pests, weather, dust, contamination/tampering from people, handling money, camera, etc. - to ensure you are selling a safe, unadulterated food to the public, as required by law. All labeling and signage requirements still apply.
Since potentially hazardous foods like dairy products cannot be sold with a Cottage Food Producer registration, a food license is needed. A food license requires that the food either be prepared in a commercial kitchen, or in an approved and licensed food stand. No home food preparation or storage is allowed. The type of license needed will depend on where the food will be prepared, stored, and sold. In addition, a licensed food stand cannot also sell cottage foods, so the stands must be separate from each other. Separation of both foods and sales, with proper signage and labeling to identify the cottage foods. In addition, manufacturing dairy products may require a permit from MDA's Dairy program.
Since potentially hazardous foods like dairy products cannot be sold with a Cottage Food Producer registration, a food license is needed. A food license requires that the food either be prepared in a commercial kitchen, or in an approved and licensed food stand. No home food preparation or storage is allowed. The type of license needed will depend on where the food will be prepared, stored, and sold. In addition, a licensed food stand cannot also sell cottage foods, so the stands must be separate from each other. Separation of both foods and sales, with proper signage and labeling to identify the cottage foods. In addition, manufacturing dairy products may require a permit from MDA's Dairy program.