The Nitrogen Management Financial Assistance Pilot Program is a competitive funding opportunity for producers who implemen
Under the Groundwater Protection Rule (Minne
January 17, 2025
Twelve Minnesota educators looking to provide more agricultural experiences for their students have received 2025 Agricultural Literacy Grants from the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation.
The grants are designed to support agriculture and food systems education efforts from kindergarten to high school across the state.
The 12 teachers received grants of up to $1000 each to allow students to experience agriculture in a cross-curricular manner. Topics to be explored through this year’s projects include soybean growing, field trips, growing fruit trees, and more.
MAITC is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the MAITC Foundation that seeks to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education. For more information about the Ag Literacy Grants, visit the MAITC website.
| Grantee School and City | Teacher | Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| Northfield High School, Northfield | T.J. Austin | Agriculture Day |
| Healy High School, Hillman | Brenda Gotvald | Green Learning Oasis Initiative |
| Minnesota 4-H, 8 school districts | Anja Johnson | Enhancing Agricultural Literacy and Leadership Through the Sensational Soybean Kit Program |
| AFSA K-12, Little Canada | Kerry Schulte | Farm to Table |
| Highland Park High School, St. Paul | Lillian Thuente | Elementary Reading and Agriculture Activities |
| JA Hughes Elementary School, Red Lake Falls | Hannah Seeger | Kindergarten is EGGciting! |
| Lucy Laney Elementary, Minneapolis | Joshua Hermerding | Lucy Laney Orchard |
| Mankato Area Public Schools, Mankato | Melissa Brueske | Camp Ignite |
| East Range Academy of Technology and Science, Mountain Iron | Noel Cordero | Growing Our Future: Agricultural Learning at Simek’s Farm |
| St. Francis Catholic School, Brainerd | Carrie Allord | Monthly Agriculture Immersion |
| New Ulm Middle School, New Ulm | Amber Gremmels | From Field to Fork |
| Mountain Lake Elementary, Mountain Lake | Martha Dukes | First Grade Science Trip |
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Barn Bowl
Starts:
Tue, 01/21/2025 - 6:00 pm
Ends:
Tue, 01/21/2025 - 7:30 pm
MDA is a:
Presenter
Details:
Come and join fellow 4-H youth with a passion for livestock as we learn from Nicole Neeser, director of meat and dairy inspection, and play barn bowl! Nicole will be speaking about biosecurity focusing on how to identify if your animals may be showing signs of illness and proper steps to take.
To view the data: North Dakota Ag Weather
January 21, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is calling on produce farmers who have never completed the Grower Questionnaire, or who have not filled it out since 2022, to complete the 2025 edition.
Completing this questionnaire helps farmers identify the federal food safety requirements that apply to their operations and gain access to additional support to improve food safety practices on their farms. By participating, growers contribute to a more accurate picture of Minnesota’s produce sector, allowing the MDA to provide tailored resources and guidance.
“The Grower Questionnaire helps us stay informed about Minnesota’s evolving produce industry and allows us to support farms in improving food safety practices and keeping local produce safe for consumers,” said Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey.
Farmers who complete the Grower Questionnaire may also be eligible for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant, which offers up to $800 in reimbursements for on-farm food safety improvements. Applications for the 2025 Mini-Grant will be available later this winter.
The Grower Questionnaire should be filled out once every three years by each produce farm. Farm contact and location information collected through the questionnaire are considered private and confidential and will not be shared with the public. General farm statistics are compiled and shared out publicly.
If growers choose not to complete the questionnaire, the MDA Produce Safety Program will reach out directly to discuss potential inspection requirements.
Farmers may complete the 2025 MDA Grower Questionnaire online.
Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 or email producesafety.mda@state.mn.us to request a paper copy of the questionnaire, or for more information.
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Media Contact:
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
January 22, 2025
Multigenerational Farm Transition Retreats are available for Minnesota farmers considering farm transition or succession plans. These retreats are offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, and the Southern Agricultural Center for Excellence.
Attendees will be guided through hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family; all generations actively involved in the farm are encouraged to attend. Topics covered in detail will include family and business goals, job responsibilities, financial needs of farm and families, inheritance considerations, and mechanisms of transfer.
These events are free of charge and are being held in three different locations; farmers can choose the one most convenient for them. Attendees should plan on attending both days.
| City | Dates and times |
|---|---|
| Mankato | Friday, February 21, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| St. Cloud | Friday, March 7, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Rochester | Friday, March 21, 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Registration is available online; event address and further meeting details will be provided in the registration confirmation.
Educational resources on farm transition and estate planning are available on the UMN Extension website. For questions or comments contact Nathan Hulinsky at huli0013@umn.edu or 218-828-2680.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill
MDA Communications
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
651-201-6131
