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The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a public session to explore ways to reduce the impacts of climate change through a Minnesota Clean Fuel Standard (CFS).

In October 2021, the Walz administration directed state agencies to determine if and how Minnesota should move forward with a CFS.

MnDOT and the MDA are engaging stakeholders and listening to the public as a key part of that process. The state’s goals through this process including identifying action steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, create new jobs, attract new economic investments, and reduce air and water pollution in both urban and rural communities.

For more information about a Clean Fuel Standard and links to access the public meetings, visit MnDOT’s website.

MnDOT Contact: Julie Bartkey
Cell: 612-263-2019
Julie.Bartkey@state.mn.us

Farm Couple Retreats allow couples to get away from everyday farm work and focus on a farm or family issue, set goals, and seek ways to attain those goals. The retreats include networking with other farming couples, short lectures, group activities, and partner exercises.

Instructors for the retreats include Monica Kramer McConkey, Emily Krekelberg, Jim Salfer, and Leah Bischof.

Registration is limited to the first 10 farming couples that register. There are three sessions in 2022: January 21-22 in Faribault, February 4-5 in St. Cloud, and February 11-12 in Thief River Falls.

This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (award number 2021-70035-35461). Project partners are the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and University of Minnesota Extension.

Farm Couple Retreats allow couples to get away from everyday farm work and focus on a farm or family issue, set goals, and seek ways to attain those goals. The retreats include networking with other farming couples, short lectures, group activities, and partner exercises.

Instructors for the retreats include Monica Kramer McConkey, Emily Krekelberg, Jim Salfer, and Leah Bischof.

Registration is limited to the first 10 farming couples that register. There are three sessions in 2022: January 21-22 in Faribault, February 4-5 in St. Cloud, and February 11-12 in Thief River Falls.

This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (award number 2021-70035-35461). Project partners are the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and University of Minnesota Extension.

This free train-the-trainer workshop will address introductory concepts in farm transition and is open to professionals in education, government, or other related fields who work with farmers in succession planning. Topics will include basic strategies for succession; goal setting and family communication; and retirement, healthcare, and estate planning. Pre-registration by November 5 appreciated.

Instructors and guest speakers for the workshop are:
*Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Rural Mental Health Specialist, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
*Jim Molenaar, Farm Business Management Instructor, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
*Megan Roberts, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension

University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota State College and University System are proud to partner to offer farm transition education focused on multi-generation farm businesses. This work is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program Award No. 2021-70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

This free train-the-trainer workshop will address tough concepts in farm transition and is open to professionals in education, government, or other related fields who work with farmers in succession planning. In-person or virtual option available (pre-registration by October 29 appreciated).

Topics will include various options and strategies for transferring the farm, challenges posed by large farm dissolutions, tools to assist in farm transition, key factors in selecting and working with accountants and attorneys, new resources from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and others, farm family communication strategies, personal and family stressors during farm successions, and various case studies (addressing topics such as entity formation, non-farm owners, sales, and sweat equity valuation).

Instructors and Guest Speakers for the workshop are:
*Lee Hanson, Attorney, Hanson Law Office
*Jim Ostlie, Livestock Development Specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
*Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Rural Mental Health Specialist, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
*Jim Molenaar, Farm Business Management Instructor, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
*Megan Roberts, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension

University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota State College and University System are proud to partner to offer farm transition education focused on multi-generation farm businesses. This work is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program Award No. 2021-70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.