August 6, 2024
St. Paul, MN: The elm zigzag sawfly, an invasive insect new to Minnesota, was recently discovered. The elm zigzag sawfly was reported by a citizen on iNaturalist, and later spotted on the platform by an out-of-state college student working on the insect.
Minnesota state officials were notified of the discovery, which was on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Officials collected larvae and the identification was confirmed by the Smithsonian Institute Museum of Natural History.
The elm zigzag sawfly is an invasive insect that feeds on the leaves of elm trees. The young larvae create a distinctive zigzag pattern through the elm leaves while feeding. The larvae are green with a black band on their head. They have T-shaped brown or black markings on the top of their second and third pair of legs.
Native to East Asia, elm zigzag sawfly was first confirmed in the United States in 2021. It has been confirmed in several eastern states and now Minnesota. The potential impacts of the elm zigzag sawfly are unknown because of the short period of time it has been present in the United States. Although the insect causes defoliation of elm trees, most defoliated trees can recover from a defoliation event.
Best management practices are also unknown. However, since most trees can recover, management may not be necessary. Currently, there is research being done at North Carolina State on insecticide applications.
More information on the elm zigzag sawfly is available on the North Carolina State website.
Since the elm zigzag sawfly is newly discovered in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) would like to better understand where this insect may be in the state. Residents can report suspected sightings of the insect to the MDA’s Report a Pest line or call 1-888-545-6684. Please include clear photos when submitting a report online.
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Contact
Brittany Raveill
MDA Communications
Brittany.raveill@state.mn.us
651-201-6131
August 6, 2024
Minnesota retail grocery and liquor stores that offer Minnesota-grown and -raised products to their customers are encouraged to enter the 2024-2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year contest, which is now open for entries through October 11, 2024.
Organized by Minnesota Grown and the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA), the contest awards stores across the state for their creative displays that celebrate and encourage sampling of products from Minnesota Grown farmers and producers, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, cheese and dairy, packaged goods, wine, cider, beer, and spirits.
Entrants will stage a one-week showcase from now through September 30, 2024, hosting a focused promotional effort in their store and other related marketing activities highlighting Minnesota Grown products. Winners will be selected from six regions in the state, and a single statewide winner is selected for beer, wine, and spirits promotion. A highly competitive People’s Choice Award is also decided in part through public voting on the Minnesota Grown Facebook page.
Winners in each category will receive exclusive rights to a “Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year” logo for all of 2025, inclusion in contest promotional materials, and a commemorative plaque presented at an MGA Awards Luncheon in spring 2025.
“The Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Contest provides the chance for businesses to shine a light on locally grown and raised products right as farmers in their communities enter the peak of harvest season,” said Rachel Wandrei, marketing manager for Minnesota Grown. “We look forward to seeing the innovative displays and promotions from this year’s entries, and celebrating the employees, farmers, and consumers who contribute to their success.”
“Grocers are the foundation of the communities they serve and are incredibly proud of our innovative local partnerships from farm to fork,” said MGA President Patrick Garofalo. “The Minnesota Grown program is driven by the exceptional efforts of all in the food industry. We are proud to play a role in this collective effort that showcases and celebrates innovative partnerships and brings wonderful local products to our customers.”
For full contest and entry details, visit the Retailer of the Year contest webpage. Retailer entries must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s online grants portal. Winners will be announced in early 2025.
Contact Jennifer Alexander at jennifer.j.alexander@state.mn.us with any questions about the contest or submission process.
Minnesota Grown is a program of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to promote products grown and raised in Minnesota. The program has connected consumers with local farmers, farmers’ markets, and other producers of agricultural products near them for over 35 years. The Minnesota Grown Directory at minnesotagrown.com is a searchable map of over 1,000 local farms, markets, and producers across the state. The program also licenses the use of the Minnesota Grown label to Minnesota producers and retailers. Anywhere you see the Minnesota Grown logo, you can have confidence that product was grown or raised within the state. Find local near you in our directory of over 1,000 farms and markets at minnesotagrown.com.
The Minnesota Grocers Association is the only state trade association that represents the food industry of Minnesota from farm to fork. It has served the industry for over 125 years, with over 300 retail, manufacturer, and wholesale members supporting nearly 1,300 locations statewide. MGA member companies employ over 150,000 union and non-union Minnesotans. It actively advances the common interest of all those engaged in any aspect of the food industry as a leader and advocate in government affairs.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Darrin (32) and Ned (67) started exploring farm transfer options because Darrin wanted to dairy farm and Ned wanted the dairy to continue even though his own children were not interested in taking over.
Darrin moved into a trailer house on the property. He started out working for a salary but also had the option to buy cows, buildings and, eventually, land. As time passed, their relationship progressed from employer/employee to more of a partnership. By the time Ned was ready to retire, Darrin was in a position to buy the rest of Ned’s operation.
Before and while working with Darrin, Ned consulted his accountant, lawyer, and other advisors to ensure he and his family would be protected into retirement. This planning paid off, and now Darrin is a new generation on the farm – just as Ned had hoped would happen.
Ned and Darrin
Darrin (32) and Ned (67) started exploring farm transfer options because Darrin wanted to dairy farm and Ned wanted the dairy to continue even though his own children were not interested in taking over.
Darrin moved into a trailer house on the property. He started out working for a salary but also had the option to buy cows, buildings and, eventually, land. As time passed, their relationship progressed from employer/employee to more of a partnership. By the time Ned was ready to retire, Darrin was in a position to buy the rest of Ned’s operation.
Before and while working with Darrin, Ned consulted his accountant, lawyer, and other advisors to ensure he and his family would be protected into retirement. This planning paid off, and now Darrin is a new generation on the farm – just as Ned had hoped would happen.
Ernest and Gertrude Squabble farmed their whole lives. Their daughter Sara was the only child interested in farming and gradually took over the operation as they aged. Sara repeatedly asked her parents about her place in the future of the farm business, but Ernest and Gertrude kept saying it was all taken care of in their will.
Ernest died first, and things went on as usual. But after Gertrude died and the will was read, Sara found out that the farm and all of its assets were to be divided equally between her and her two siblings.
Sara thought it was clear that she should get the farm. After all, she was the one who’d stayed home to run it. Her two siblings had both moved away but now wanted their inheritance in cash – and as soon as possible. There was no way for Sara could buy out her brother and sister. The farm was sold in its entirety, with many of the proceeds going toward taxes and legal fees. After the personal sacrifices and financial contributions Sara had made, she felt hurt and taken advantage of. She no longer farms and the family no longer speaks.
