Standard Requirements
A distributor who blends or mixes fertilizer or distributes fertilizer for agricultural us
July 12, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to treat one area in Carlton County and three areas in and around the city of Duluth to slow the spread of spongy moth (previously known as gypsy moth). Officials will conduct aerial treatments July 14, break for the weekend, and begin again on Monday July 17. Work will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. each morning and continue throughout the day. The dates and times depend on weather conditions in the area.
The treatment area in Carlton County is near Holyoke along the Wisconsin border, totaling approximately 14,000 acres. The three treatment areas around Duluth; Duluth East, Duluth West, and Midway total approximately 12,000 acres. Residents can look up their address on an interactive map to determine if they are within any of these blocks.
The MDA will use a method of mating disruption involving the aerial application of an organically certified, waxy, food-grade substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. This makes it difficult for the male moths to find females for mating, reducing mating success. This results in fewer caterpillars hatching and attacking trees next year. The application is timed just as adult moths are emerging in early summer.
The mating disruption product will be applied by low-flying yellow planes contracted by the U.S. Forest Service in a joint project with the MDA. These planes fly approximately 150 feet above the treetops and will be traveling outside the treatment areas as the planes navigate between the spongy moth treatment sites. The product is not harmful to humans, animals, birds, or other insects, and will help protect forest health, property values, and the state’s tourism industry.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up a Report a Pest information line at 1-888-545-MOTH (6684). The hotline will offer the latest details about treatment dates and times. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MNMDA MOTH” to 66468 to receive text notifications or texting “MNMDA MOTH [your email address here]” to 66468 to receive email notifications.
Spongy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch, and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or ReportAPest@state.mn.us with questions regarding spongy moth and the planned treatments.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
July 6, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has received $12.25 million through the USDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program to help strengthen Minnesota’s food supply chain between the farmer and consumer by investing in infrastructure. The result of these investments will be more and stronger markets for small farms and food businesses to access, as well as an increase in locally made value-added products for consumers throughout the state.
The MDA will work in partnership with USDA to distribute these funds as competitive grants to invest in the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products. Eligible food products include fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products (excluding meat and poultry). The project will also fund business development services for new and established food companies.
The MDA is currently seeking public input to help shape priorities for the grant and business development programs. Interested parties have until July 31, 2023, to submit responses through an online survey. The MDA will also be hosting two virtual listening sessions where stakeholders can provide feedback:
- Tuesday, July 18, 2023, from 12-1 p.m. Register for this event.
- Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 7-8 p.m. Register for this event.
The Minnesota RFSI Initiative will begin distributing funds in 2024.
More information about the four-year RFSI Initiative can be found on the MDA’s Local and Regional Markets webpage. Questions about the program or requests for survey access assistance may be directed to Michael Zastoupil at Michael.Zastoupil@state.mn.us or 651-201-6369.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure - Listening Session #1
Starts:
Tue, 07/18/2023 - 12:00 pm
Ends:
Tue, 07/18/2023 - 1:00 pm
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
Details:
This is the first of two virtual listening sessions we're hosting to collect public feedback on funding priorities for Minnesota's Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) program. The second is on July 26.
Partnering with the USDA, we will distribute $12.25 million through competitive grants for RFSI projects that invest in infrastructure to strengthen Minnesota's food supply chain. The result of these investments will be more and stronger markets for small farms and food businesses, as well as an increase in locally made value-added products for consumers throughout the state.
Eligible projects must be for food products including fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products (excluding meat or poultry). The project will also fund business development services for new and established food companies.
If you're unable to attend one of the listening sessions, you can complete the online Food Business Development Needs Survey available through July 31 on our Local and Regional Markets webpage.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure - Listening Session #2
Starts:
Wed, 07/26/2023 - 7:00 pm
Ends:
Wed, 07/26/2023 - 8:00 pm
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
Details:
This is the second of two virtual listening sessions we're hosting to collect public feedback on funding priorities for Minnesota's Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) program. The first was on July 18.
Partnering with the USDA, we will distribute $12.25 million through competitive grants for RFSI projects that invest in infrastructure to strengthen Minnesota's food supply chain. The result of these investments will be more and stronger markets for small farms and food businesses, as well as an increase in locally made value-added products for consumers throughout the state.
Eligible projects must be for food products including fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products (excluding meat or poultry). The project will also fund business development services for new and established food companies.
If you're unable to attend one of the listening sessions, you can complete the online Food Business Development Needs Survey available through July 31 on our Local and Regional Markets webpage.
