Recognizing the risks posed by extreme weather, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new grant opportunity to help eligible producers make their operations more resilient to drought, flooding, and severe weather events like storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds.
The Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant, also referred to as the Prepare Grant, offers one-time competitive grants of up to $10,000 for Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers to buy and install supplies and equipment for weather event preparation. It requires a 50% match.
“In the past few years, we’ve seen examples of extreme weather like record flooding and drought affect farming operations throughout Minnesota,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “These grants will help producers bolster their operations and get ahead of the curve in terms of anticipating and managing the risks of future weather events.”
For the purposes of this grant program:
- Livestock includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.
- Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, and floriculture. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for further examples.
Eligible projects include — but are not limited to — water tanks, pipelines, and wagons/trailers; wells (new improvements, fixes, replacement pumps); irrigation equipment (including drip irrigation); fans; misters; livestock shade systems; and windbreaks.
The MDA expects to award 50 to 75 grants with the $500,000 available for this program and encourages producers to apply early. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. Central Time on April 23, 2024, and the MDA will notify applicants as soon as possible, but no later than May 31, about whether their proposal was funded.
Full grant details and the request for proposals (RFP) can be found on the MDA website.
The Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant is funded by the Agricultural Growth and Research Initiative (AGRI) Program, which supports advances in Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
###
Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Ten Minnesota food and beverage companies are bringing local flavors to Natural Products Expo West (NPEW), the world’s largest natural foods trade show. The brands will exhibit as part of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion at the show March 13-15, 2024, in Anaheim, California.
Expo West attracts more than 3,000 exhibiting companies and approximately 70,000 industry attendees annually. Focused on marketing opportunities for makers of organic, natural, and conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) products, the event brings together folks from across the national and international CPG and retail ecosystem.
The MDA will support the exhibiting Minnesota food and beverage companies with promotional and logistical support leading up to the show and on the ground in Anaheim, as part of the agency’s aim to increase the use of Minnesota agricultural products, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.
“Expo West provides endless opportunities to make the face-to-face connections that are so important for growing and emerging brands,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “The MDA is proud to partner with these Minnesota food and beverage companies who are sure to make a splash with their impressive products at this year’s show.”
The following Minnesota brands will be exhibiting as part of the MDA’s Minnesota Pavilion in the North Hall Level 200 Hot Products section:
Minnesota food and beverage startup companies can also attend Expo West as mentees through the MDA’s Walk the Floor Mentorship Program, to learn about trade show preparation and execution and prepare for possible future attendance. This year’s Walk the Floor mentee is Quebracho Empanadas, winner of the Food/Ag/Beverage Division in the University of Minnesota’s 2023 MN Cup competition, who will partner with long-time exhibitor and 2024 NEXTY Awards Finalist, Seven Sundays.
Minnesota-based Maazah, winner of NPEW’s 2023 Pitch Slam, will also exhibit in the North Hall Level 200 Hot Products section. Pitch Slam Awards are given to standout emerging brands that compete in a fast-paced pitch competition at Expo West. As last year’s grand prize winner, Maazah received a free booth at this year’s show, as well as over $30,000 in services from Expo West organizer, New Hope Network.
The Minnesota Pavilion at Expo West is made possible by the MDA and the support of our event sponsors and partners: Indie Do Good, FoodOps, Naturally Minnesota, NearestYou, and Smart Start Solutions.
Visit the MDA website to learn more about the Make it Minnesota Program and the Minnesota Pavilion at Natural Products Expo West.
###
Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are proposing to treat spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestations this summer in seven counties across eastern Minnesota.
Spongy moths are ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests. The insect has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England westward in recent decades. Spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. This pest is found in most of Wisconsin and is now establishing itself in northeastern Minnesota.
The MDA monitors for spongy moth each year, surveying for start-up infestations. When an infestation is found, the department conducts aerial treatments and targets the infestation before it can spread. The number of spongy moths detected in Minnesota in recent years has increased, and populations continue to push westward. The increase in moths created the need for more treatment areas in 2024.
Forty-two treatment areas totaling approximately 160,000 acres are proposed in Carlton, Chisago, Fillmore, Houston, Isanti, Pine, and St. Louis counties. The areas will be treated with either: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a biological insecticide that is organically certified for use on food crops, or mating disruption, an organic substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. Residents can view an interactive map on the MDA website to determine if they’re located within any of the proposed treatment areas.
The treatments will be conducted from June through July, depending on insect development and weather.
The MDA has successfully treated dozens of spongy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to the Twin Cities to Houston County. These successful treatments help postpone the full-scale invasion of spongy moth. They also save local communities and homeowners money and protect the health of the state’s urban and natural forests.
Residents in proposed treatment areas and the public are invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the insect and the treatment methods.
| Date/Time | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2024 4-6 p.m. |
Hinckley City Hall Community Room | 106 1st Street SE Hinckley, MN 55037 |
| April 2, 2024 4-6 p.m. |
Cloquet Library | 320 14th Street Cloquet, MN 55720 |
| April 3, 2024 4-6 p.m. |
Caledonia City Hall Auditorium | 231 E. Main Steet Caledonia, MN 55291 |
| April 4, 2024 10 a.m. |
Virtual | All mating disruption treatments |
| April 4, 2024 12 p.m. |
Virtual | BtK treatment in Carlton and St. Louis counties |
| April 4, 2024 6 p.m. |
Virtual | All mating disruption treatments |
| April 8, 2024 4-6 p.m. |
Iron Trail Motors Event Center | 919 6th Street South Virginia, MN 55792 |
| April 9, 2024 4-6 p.m. |
North Branch Area Library | 6355 379th Street North Branch, MN 55056 |
To register for virtual meetings, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/smtreatments.
Residents in proposed treatment areas will also be receiving a postcard with more information. Citizens can also find info on spongy moth treatments, sign-up for text or email notifications, and proposed treatment area maps at www.mda.state.mn.us/smtreatments.
Comments on any of the proposed treatments are being accepted through April 15, 2024. Comments should be submitted in writing via mail or email to:
Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Kimberly.TCremers@state.mn.us
###
Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
Yes, that would be an eligible project.
