July 30, 2025
Minnesotans are invited to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season during National Farmers Market Week Aug. 3 – 9. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with Minnesota Grown, Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Land Stewardship Project to recognize the week with events at nine farmers markets across the state.
- Crookston Farmers’ Market – Downtown Central Square, 151 E 3rd St, Crookston, Thursday, Aug 7, 4 – 6:30 p.m.
- Moorhead Farmers’ Market – Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead, Tuesday, Aug 5, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- Pope County Farmers’ Market – Pope County Museum Parking Lot, State Hwy 104 S, Glenwood, Saturday, Aug 9, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- St. Joseph Farmers’ Market – Lake Wobegon Trailhead, 610 Co Rd 2, St. Joseph, Friday, Aug 8, 3 – 6 p.m.
- Marshall Farmers’ Market – 200 South A St., Marshall, Saturday, Aug 9, 7:30 a.m. – noon
- North Mankato Farmers’ Market – Caswell Park, 1825 W. Howard Dr., North Mankato, Monday, Aug 4, 3 – 6 p.m.
- Eyota Farmers’ Market – West Side Park, 303 5th St SW, Eyota, Tuesday, Aug 5, 4 – 7 p.m.
- Buffalo Farmers’ Market – 100 1st Ave NE, Buffalo, Saturday, Aug 9, 8 a.m. – noon
- Virginia Market Square – 111 S 9th Ave W, Virginia, Thursday, Aug 7, 2:30 – 6 p.m.
There are 402 farmers’ markets and more than 10,000 market vendors across Minnesota and Tribal Nations, according to the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association. These markets strengthen local economies, support small and emerging farmers, and expand access to fresh, locally grown food. Many also offer food access programs that help make nutritious food more affordable. In addition to healthy options, Minnesota’s farmers’ markets offer many culturally relevant foods that reflect the diverse communities they serve, making these markets a source of nourishment, culture, and connection.
“With over 400 markets across the state, there’s likely a farmers’ market near you,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Markets rely on the support of their shoppers to remain thriving spaces for local food access and a vital source of income for Minnesota farmers. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is grateful to the market managers, vendors, and volunteers who make farmers’ markets possible.”
In addition to providing fresh, seasonal produce, farmers’ markets strengthen local economies. “Farmers’ markets give family farmers the opportunity to bring fresh, nutritious foods to their neighbors, filling a void in many rural communities that otherwise lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish. “Farmers’ markets are also an economic boost in rural communities, as consumers spend their dollars with their neighbors, keeping their money in the local community. Studies have shown that this local multiplier effect generates an additional $2 to $6 of additional economic activity for every dollar spent.”
Recognizing the role of farmers’ markets in food access and community health, Minnesota lawmakers created a new grant program during the 2024 session with support from the Land Stewardship Project. Through a competitive process, 29 farmers markets across the state were awarded a total of $146,669 to strengthen their nutrition assistance programs.
“Investing in farmers’ markets means investing in the health of our communities and market access opportunities for growers,” said Laura Schreiber, government relations director at Land Stewardship Project. “We’re proud to help ensure Minnesota lawmakers continue to invest in and support these vital public spaces where food, culture, and community come together.”
Minnesotans are encouraged to use Farmers’ Market Week as a jumping-off point to build a habit of shopping local and supporting farmers’ markets all year long. Find a market near you using MFMA’s interactive map at mfma.org or search for Minnesota Grown member markets, farmers, and makers at minnesotagrown.com.
The Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association works to foster a community of vibrant, profitable, and professionally managed Minnesota farmers’ markets that cultivate, nourish, and inspire a vibrant local foods landscape. The MFMA vision is to create greater accessibility to local, farm-fresh foods and to allow opportunities for local food producers to thrive and grow. Find their statewide map of markets at www.mfma.org.
Minnesota Grown is a program of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, created to promote products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years the program has connected consumers with local farmers, farmers’ markets, and other agricultural producers through resources like the Minnesota Grown directory, a searchable map of over 1,000 local farms, markets, and producers. The program also licenses the use of the Minnesota Grown label to Minnesota producers and retailers. Anywhere you see the Minnesota Grown logo, you can have confidence that product was grown or raised within the state. Visit minnesotagrown.com to find local near you.
Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org, and follow MFU on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
The Land Stewardship Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promoting sustainable agriculture, and developing healthy communities in the food and farming system. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Montevideo, Lewiston, and South Minneapolis. Learn more and join at landstewardshipproject.org.
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us
July 31, 2025
Applications will open August 1 for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Grants.
These grants are available to individual producers, producer groups, and local governments to purchase or retrofit soil health equipment. Grants provide up to 50% cost-share, with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum award of $45,000. There is $4.36 million available statewide for this round of funding, which comes from the 2025 Minnesota Legislature and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The MDA continues to monitor possible changes to federal funding commitments because of policy decisions within the Trump Administration.
“The Soil Health Financial Assistance Grant helps offset equipment costs and ensures more farmers are engaged in soil health practices that benefit Minnesota’s water and natural resources,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “I want to thank our state leaders and federal partners for investing in this program, and I encourage producers, producer groups, tribes, and local governments to apply for this opportunity.”
Examples of eligible new or used equipment include, but are not limited to, no-till drills, air seeders, and strip tillage units.
The Request for Proposals and application link can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/soil-health-grant once the application opens on August 1. Applications are due August 29, 2025. Awards will be announced by January 1, 2026.
This is the fourth round of Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Grants. The third round awarded $2.79 million to 90 individuals and organizations across Minnesota. The third round received nearly 310 applications, with requests exceeding $9.6 million – or greater than three times the funding available.
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Media Contact
Cynthia Moothart, MDA Communications
651-420-2637
Cynthia.Moothart@state.mn.us
There are several companies in Minnesota that provide quality composting services. Visit the Minnesota Composting Council for more information and use this locator service provided by MPCA to find facilities near you. Remember to contact the facility manager to find out if they accept noxious weed materials and if they follow the national Seal of Testing Assurance standards.
Where can I find an approved disposal site?
There are several companies in Minnesota that provide quality composting services. Visit the Minnesota Composting Council for more information and use this locator service provided by MPCA to find facilities near you. Remember to contact the facility manager to find out if they accept noxious weed materials and if they follow the national Seal of Testing Assurance standards.
There are several ways you can destroy noxious weeds on your property.
- Control or eradicate stands in the field. Legal application of approved herbicides on established stands of noxious weeds will destroy the plants and let them desiccate and decay naturally without the need for cutting or harvesting of the plants. Biological control agents may also be available for certain noxious weed species. On large established stands, bioagents may provide similar results to herbicides over a longer period of years. Check with the MDA Noxious Weed Program for more information about biological control.
- If you are mowing (and collecting the clippings), hand-pulling, digging, or using other forms of physical removal from the soil, plants can be composted onsite by selecting a specific area of the property that is used only for noxious weeds and other noxious plants. Plants can be piled above the ground or mixed with other soil and compost materials. It is not recommended to bury noxious weeds because the propagating parts will have a better chance of devitalizing above the soil. Regular check-ups to any composting area will be required to treat or pull any newly emerging seedlings over time. This method allows the noxious weeds to decay on your property without spreading the seeds to new areas and also concentrates them into a small area that can be easily maintained. Public land managers can utilize this technique also and post signage or fencing around the area to keep people out of the compost area.
- Burning can also be used to destroy standing or collected noxious weeds on site. However, it is not recommended to burn poison ivy or Grecian foxglove since the chemicals in the smoke can be harmful to humans. Always check and follow your local laws and ordinances pertaining to open burning in fire pits and contact a professional if planning to burn large stands of noxious weeds.
How do I destroy noxious weeds on my property?
There are several ways you can destroy noxious weeds on your property.
- Control or eradicate stands in the field. Legal application of approved herbicides on established stands of noxious weeds will destroy the plants and let them desiccate and decay naturally without the need for cutting or harvesting of the plants. Biological control agents may also be available for certain noxious weed species. On large established stands, bioagents may provide similar results to herbicides over a longer period of years. Check with the MDA Noxious Weed Program for more information about biological control.
- If you are mowing (and collecting the clippings), hand-pulling, digging, or using other forms of physical removal from the soil, plants can be composted onsite by selecting a specific area of the property that is used only for noxious weeds and other noxious plants. Plants can be piled above the ground or mixed with other soil and compost materials. It is not recommended to bury noxious weeds because the propagating parts will have a better chance of devitalizing above the soil. Regular check-ups to any composting area will be required to treat or pull any newly emerging seedlings over time. This method allows the noxious weeds to decay on your property without spreading the seeds to new areas and also concentrates them into a small area that can be easily maintained. Public land managers can utilize this technique also and post signage or fencing around the area to keep people out of the compost area.
- Burning can also be used to destroy standing or collected noxious weeds on site. However, it is not recommended to burn poison ivy or Grecian foxglove since the chemicals in the smoke can be harmful to humans. Always check and follow your local laws and ordinances pertaining to open burning in fire pits and contact a professional if planning to burn large stands of noxious weeds.
Yes, it is illegal to transport noxious weeds and their propagating parts in Minnesota without a permit, unless you are transporting to a specific location for lawful disposal or destruction! Noxious weed propagating parts are structures that allow the plant to regenerate and spread. These include seeds, cuttings, buds, shoots, stems and root fragments. Minnesota Statute 18.82 prohibits the transport of listed prohibited and restricted noxious weed propagating parts without issuance of a special permit that can be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) or the County Agricultural Inspector from the jurisdiction where the movement will occur. The permit is intended to ensure that the person requesting transport will take every measure necessary to avoid spreading any propagating parts while in route. Each permit also indicates how the propagating parts will be destroyed once they reach their destination. If the plants main mode of reproduction is by seed and has been removed prior to seed production, then it is legal to transport without a permit. You do not need a permit if you are transporting noxious weed propagating parts to a designated location for lawful disposal if you follow the conditions specified previously for containment during transport.
No. Disposal of noxious weeds into solid waste trash bins is against the law! Although it may seem easy for the average landowner to rid themselves of a few pesky noxious weeds growing on their property by adding them to their solid waste containers, it is actually against state law. Minnesota Statute 115A.931 prohibits placing yard waste into any municipal solid waste containers, at a disposal facility, or at a resource recovery facility for reasons other than composting or co-composting.
Due to the risk of noxious weed seeds surviving the composting process and potentially being spread to new areas in the resulting compost material, it is safer to allow noxious weed materials to decay naturally on site. If you feel that you must remove noxious weeds and their propagating parts from your property, compost sites regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) may be an alternative.
Currently there are over 100 yard waste facilities registered by MPCA throughout Minnesota. Noxious weed seeds and other propagating parts may not be completely destroyed during the composting process if the proper procedures are not followed. If you choose to dispose of noxious weeds at a yard waste site, look for sites that adhere to the national Seal of Testing Assurance standards approved by the U.S. Composting Council. These facilities work hard to ensure that the temperature and length of time restrictions are met. In addition to yard waste sites, there are several Source Separated Compost Facilities (SWCF) operating in the state that are regularly monitored by MPCA to ensure that compost is held at 131ºF for a minimum of 15 days. Visit the MPCA website to learn more about composting in Minnesota.
There are several companies in Minnesota that provide quality composting services. Visit the Minnesota Composting Council for more information and use this locator service provided by MPCA to find facilities near you. Remember to contact the facility manager to find out if they accept noxious weed materials and if they follow the national Seal of Testing Assurance standards.
There are several ways you can destroy noxious weeds on your property.
- Control or eradicate stands in the field. Legal application of approved herbicides on established stands of noxious weeds will destroy the plants and let them desiccate and decay naturally without the need for cutting or harvesting of the plants. Biological control agents may also be available for certain noxious weed species. On large established stands, bioagents may provide similar results to herbicides over a longer period of years. Check with the MDA Noxious Weed Program for more information about biological control.
- If you are mowing (and collecting the clippings), hand-pulling, digging, or using other forms of physical removal from the soil, plants can be composted onsite by selecting a specific area of the property that is used only for noxious weeds and other noxious plants. Plants can be piled above the ground or mixed with other soil and compost materials. It is not recommended to bury noxious weeds because the propagating parts will have a better chance of devitalizing above the soil. Regular check-ups to any composting area will be required to treat or pull any newly emerging seedlings over time. This method allows the noxious weeds to decay on your property without spreading the seeds to new areas and also concentrates them into a small area that can be easily maintained. Public land managers can utilize this technique also and post signage or fencing around the area to keep people out of the compost area.
- Burning can also be used to destroy standing or collected noxious weeds on site. However, it is not recommended to burn poison ivy or Grecian foxglove since the chemicals in the smoke can be harmful to humans. Always check and follow your local laws and ordinances pertaining to open burning in fire pits and contact a professional if planning to burn large stands of noxious weeds.
You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. If you know or estimate that at least 50% of your gross annual food sales will be to other businesses/establishments, then you will be required to obtain a Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer license at your processing location. If you have questions regarding your predominant method of sales, please contact the MDA Licensing Liaison.
