What is your educational training and background?
I graduated from Ross University Veterinary School and went on to complete my Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. I worked as a public health veterinarian with the USDA before joining the MDA.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I figured out early on in veterinary school that I wanted to focus on public health. After that, opportunities in food safety began to present themselves. Most notably, I got to spend time in rural Uganda testing animals for brucellosis (a foodborne disease) and educating community members on how to protect themselves.
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I value getting to know the hardworking folks in our agricultural community and working alongside them to teach AND learn how we can bring consumers the safest products possible.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Your veterinarian is your best resource. Make sure you have established a veterinary-client-patient relationship. If you don't know what this is, check out our resource page!
Jessica Evanson, DVM, MPH - Drug Residue Prevention Program Coordinator
What is your educational training and background?
I graduated from Ross University Veterinary School and went on to complete my Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. I worked as a public health veterinarian with the USDA before joining the MDA.
How did you end up in a food safety career?
I figured out early on in veterinary school that I wanted to focus on public health. After that, opportunities in food safety began to present themselves. Most notably, I got to spend time in rural Uganda testing animals for brucellosis (a foodborne disease) and educating community members on how to protect themselves.
What is your favorite part about working for the Drug Residue Prevention Program?
I value getting to know the hardworking folks in our agricultural community and working alongside them to teach AND learn how we can bring consumers the safest products possible.
What is the best piece of advice you have for livestock producers working with antibiotics?
Your veterinarian is your best resource. Make sure you have established a veterinary-client-patient relationship. If you don't know what this is, check out our resource page!
2024 Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference
Starts:
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 8:00 am
Ends:
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 6:00 pm
Location:
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
Details:
“Elevate–Empower–Evolve” is the theme of this year's conference, which focuses on developing and uplifting women in agriculture and giving them tools to deal with an ever-changing industry.
Participants will advance and improve their skills through an engaging day of learning and networking. Get energized by discovering new ideas, connecting with others in agriculture, and celebrating mentors and positive role models.
A highlight of the conference is the recognition of the 2024 Outstanding Agriculture Mentors. This award is in its 22nd year and recognizes people who have been positive mentors and role models for people in agriculture, especially women.
March 18, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced the recipients of its 2024 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Eleven projects totaling $150,000 were awarded though the grant.
The money awarded to cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and tribal nations will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct mapping, outreach activities, and hire private applicators to manage noxious weeds.
Noxious weeds are plants that have the potential or are known to be harmful to human or animal health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, or other property. There are currently 57 plants on Minnesota’s Noxious Weed List.
Grant projects were awarded up to $15,000 to be spent in one year to support local activity.
The MDA has awarded over $1,500,000 since 2017 to local municipalities and tribal nations for projects that focus on noxious weeds throughout the state.
| Organization | County | Award Amount | Project Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka Conservation District | Anoka | $14,530 | Early Detection Noxious Weed Control in Anoka County |
| Becker SWCD | Becker | $9,000 | 2024 Becker County Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant |
| Carlton SWCD | Carlton | $15,000 | Battling Invasives in City of Cloquet |
| Cass County | Cass | $15,000 | Japanese and Hybrid Knotweed Control and Outreach |
| Fillmore County | Fillmore | $15,000 | Fillmore County Noxious and Invasive Weed Control |
| Fillmore SWCD | Fillmore | $15,000 | Treatment of Bohemian Knotweed on Maple Creek |
| Prairie Island Indian Community | N/A | $14,000 | Prairie Island Indian Community Amur Maple and Rangeland Management |
| Scott SWCD | Scott | $15,000 | Scott CWMA Noxious Weed Management |
| St. Louis County Public Works | St. Louis | $15,000 | St. Louis County Ramps Up the Fight Against Knotweed and Parsnip |
| Stearns County | Stearns | $5,000 | Stearns County FY24 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant |
| Washington Conservation District | Washington | $15,000 | Noxious Weed Management |
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
