February 2025 Update: Minnesota to Begin Testing Raw Cow Milk for H5N1
Beginning the week
The Weed of the Month is a series of articles about Minnesota noxious weeds.
June 2, 2025
Minnesota is proud to host this year’s National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, “Lakes, Land, and Legends,” June 23–26, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, MN. Organized by the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO), this premier professional development event brings together Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, volunteers, and agricultural literacy leaders from across the country. Participants will take part in workshops that connect agriculture to core subjects in alignment with national education standards. Traveling workshops will also give attendees a firsthand look into Minnesota’s diverse agricultural landscapes.
Twenty-five teachers from across Minnesota have been awarded full scholarships to attend the conference, thanks to the support of the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation. Representing a wide range of subject areas and schools from Kelliher to Worthington, these educators are committed to connecting students with agriculture though everyday learning.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson will deliver welcome remarks as the conference kicks off on Tuesday, June 24th. “Minnesota’s agriculture is as rich and varied as the landscapes that shape it," said Commissioner Petersen. "From our lakes and forests to our family farms and farmers markets, there’s a story to be told in every corner of our state. I’m excited to welcome educators from across the country to experience the spirit of Minnesota firsthand through the 'Lakes, Land, and Legends' conference."
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the MAITC Foundation that seeks to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education. MAITC programs help students connect real world agricultural content to subjects like science, social studies, language arts, and nutrition. For free classroom resources, visit minnesota.agclassroom.org.
The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization is a 501c3 nonprofit that works to improve agricultural literacy nationwide by helping teachers and students understand the value of agriculture. Through strong partnerships with state programs and its annual conference, NAITCO has reached millions of students and thousands of teachers across the country. To learn more or register for the conference, visit agclassroom.org/conference or contact events@naitco.org.
2025 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Scholarship Recipients
- Jody Ruen – Lanesboro Public School, Lanesboro
- Beth Sletta – Minnesota Virtual Academy, Rogers
- Kerry Schulte – AFSA K-12 Charter School, Circle Pines
- Kimberly Penning – Owatonna High School, Owatonna
- Carrie Stencel – Princeton Intermediate School, Princeton
- McKenzie Gregory – Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School, Buffalo
- Andrea Finnigsmier – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
- Lisa Patrick – Minnetonka High School, Plymouth
- Savannah Stafford – Lake Ripley Elementary School, Grove City
- Tiffany Kobbermann – Minnewaska High School, Hancock
- Julie Bauman – Prairie Elementary, Worthington
- Libby Wickum – Northome School, Mizpah
- Beth Gruenke – Hilltop Elementary, Inver Grove Heights
- Carrie Allord – St. Francis, Fort Ripley
- Meghan Sunderland – MACCRAY, Montevideo
- Hannah Seeger – JA Hughes, Red Lake Falls
- Renae Swanson – Red Lake Elementary, Red Lake, located in the Red Lake Nation
- Tiffany Kortbein – Greenvale Park Elementary, Northfield
- Marie Kruse – Bluff View Elementary, Lake City
- Haven Fillbrandt – Northern Light Community School, Grand Rapids
- Heather More – Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Elementary, Mapleton
- Sara Browen – Worthington Middle School, Worthington
- Amy Mastin – Kelliher High School, Kelliher
- Jeni Braidenbach – Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka
- Jodi Landro – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us
The following table is a list of all licensed and permitted dairy plants in Minnesota.
Minnesota state "equal to" (E2) plants can produce and process meat and poultry products for wholesale within the state; t
Biosecurity will be the most effective method to protect your animals. Minimize access of wild birds to cattle and their environment.
- Manage the movement of cattle and their transport as much as possible.
- Do not feed unpasteurized colostrum or milk to calves, cattle, or other mammals.
- Implement precautions for caretakers and veterinary teams handling sick cows, sick or dead birds, small mammals, and unpasteurized milk.
- Separate (quarantine) all new or returning animals for at least 21 days.
- Contact your herd veterinarian if increased cow illness is observed in your herd, specifically in second lactation or greater cows that are 150 days or more in milk.
How can I protect my animals?
Biosecurity will be the most effective method to protect your animals. Minimize access of wild birds to cattle and their environment.
- Manage the movement of cattle and their transport as much as possible.
- Do not feed unpasteurized colostrum or milk to calves, cattle, or other mammals.
- Implement precautions for caretakers and veterinary teams handling sick cows, sick or dead birds, small mammals, and unpasteurized milk.
- Separate (quarantine) all new or returning animals for at least 21 days.
- Contact your herd veterinarian if increased cow illness is observed in your herd, specifically in second lactation or greater cows that are 150 days or more in milk.
Biosecurity will be the most effective method to protect your animals. Minimize access of wild birds to cattle and their environment.
- Manage the movement of cattle and their transport as much as possible.
- Do not feed unpasteurized colostrum or milk to calves, cattle, or other mammals.
- Implement precautions for caretakers and veterinary teams handling sick cows, sick or dead birds, small mammals, and unpasteurized milk.
- Separate (quarantine) all new or returning animals for at least 21 days.
- Contact your herd veterinarian if increased cow illness is observed in your herd, specifically in second lactation or greater cows that are 150 days or more in milk.
Wild birds, wild animals, poultry, dairy cattle, and newborn goats have tested positive for H5N1 in Minnesota.
Infections in cattle have been traced back to infected wild birds. Research is continuing on the transmission route between animals. The newborn goat kids that were diagnosed in Minnesota shared a water source with infected poultry that had been depopulated at the same site.
Sick cattle are typically isolated and recover. Depopulation of cattle is not recommended. Milk from sick cows is diverted from the food supply. Pasteurized milk is safe to drink.
Federal funding is possible for pre-movement testing of lactating cattle through the information below:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture communicates and works closely with the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Board of Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and industry partners to share information and develop plans to be best prepared.
Wear clean boots or boot covers, clean clothing, wearing disposable gloves, and safety goggles. For additional guidance see the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Poultry questions should be directed to the Minnesota Avian Influenza hotline 1-833-454-0156.
- The Department of Natural Resources is addressing sick and dead wild bird reports, contact local DNR wildlife staff or the DNR information center at 888-646-6367.
- Any other diseases contact the Minnesota Board of Animal Health: 651-296-2942 or your district veterinarian (business hours).
- Human health questions can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Health: call 651-201-5414.
- Milk and food safety concerns can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6300.
- Biosecurity Assessments and deterrent options are available through the USDA APHIS wildlife services: Jason Gilsdorf or any wildlife services personnel for assistance at 612-271-5119 or Jason.M.Gilsdorf@usda.gov
According to the CDC, human infections with avian influenza A viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled. Raw milk from infected cattle can carry the virus and make people sick. People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked foods, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw milk products, from animals with suspected or confirmed Avian Influenza A (H5N1) infection.
Wild birds, wild animals, poultry, dairy cattle, and newborn goats have tested positive for H5N1 in Minnesota.
