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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) works with Minnesota’s 13 research and promotion councils (also known as commodity councils) to promote our state’s diverse agricultural sector. One of these councils is the Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council, which is dedicated to serving the barley industry. Specifically, their focus is on agricultural research, aiming to advance knowledge and development within the barley industry. The Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council was established in 1990 and has served this purpose for decades. However, as the number of barley producers has declined, the future of the Council is now in question.

The MDA received a petition requesting to terminate the Council on November 22, 2024. The petition is signed by more than 10% of Minnesota barley producers. These barley producers believe the Council is no longer a needed resource as utilization of barley as a commodity in Minnesota is decreasing.

In response, the MDA is required to hold a vote within 60 days to help decide the future of the Council. All Minnesota producers that share(d) directly in the risk of loss from the production of barley during the current or preceding marketing year are eligible to vote.

Voting Information:

Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Location: The Prairie Grains Conference front desk
Alerus Center
1200 S 42nd St
Grand Forks, ND

For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6013.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us

Eight Minnesota retailers who demonstrate excellence in locally grown and produced products have been named a 2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). Along with awards given by region, a new beer, wine, and spirits award was given to recognize excellence in liquor stores.

This year’s winners include:

• Northwest: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Thief River Falls
• Northeast: Super One Foods, Duluth Miller Hill
• Central: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
• Southwest: Jim’s Market, Canby
• Southeast: Rushford Foods, Rushford
• Twin Cities: Lunds & Byerlys, Apple Valley
• People’s Choice: Festival Foods, Andover
• Beer, Wine, & Spirits: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, The Cove Wine & Spirits, Minnetrista

“We applaud these grocers and their employees for their leadership in offering Minnesota grown foods and products,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “When shoppers have access to more foods grown and raised by their neighbors, it’s a win for everyone - Minnesota’s farmers, grocers, and communities alike.”

Each winner receives exclusive rights to use their regional Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year branding in their ads and displays, and will be recognized by their peers at an MGA event in the spring. “Grocers are at the heart of the communities they serve, and we are so proud of the innovative partnerships between grocery stores, distributors, and farmers that are showcased in this contest,” said MGA President Patrick Garofalo. “We are thrilled to play a role in this effort celebrating the vital work of bringing fresh, healthy, and delicious local products to Minnesotans across the state.”

Awards are determined by multiple factors, including the number of local products offered and the number of Minnesota farmers and producers the grocers purchased from. The review panel also looked at use of ads, displays, social media, and events to promote Minnesota grown items to customers. More information can be found on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.

“Grocers who participated this year reported seeing a significant increase in their sales across multiple departments, from fresh produce to the meat section, which was incredibly exciting to see," reported Minnesota Grown Marketing Manager, Rachel Wandrei. "The stores went all out this year, from creating recipes with local foods on their social media channels, to hosting events where shoppers can meet their local farmers. By highlighting these local products, they are not only strengthening their bottom line, they are also supporting farmers and boosting their local economy, all while giving customers the high-quality local foods they are looking for.”

The Minnesota Grown Program is a statewide partnership between the MDA and Minnesota agricultural producers with a mission to promote Minnesota grown products for the mutual benefit of consumers and producers.

The Minnesota Grocers Association is the only state trade association that represents the food industry of Minnesota from farm to fork, with over 300 retail, manufacturer, and wholesale members supporting nearly 1,300 locations statewide. 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
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

Recognizing the risks posed by extreme weather, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a 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 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.

“Minnesota agriculture needs to prepare for more climate extremes in the future,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “This will help farmers and ranchers increase the resiliency of their operations and reduce some of the stress and anxiety around the weather.”

For the purposes of this grant program:

Livestock includes aquaculture, bees, beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, farmed cervids, ratites (including ostriches and emus), bison, sheep, horses, 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 through a competitive review process. There is $500,000 available for this program. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. Central Time on February 12, 2025, and the MDA will notify applicants as soon as possible, but no later than March 26, 2025, about whether their proposal was selected for funding.

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.

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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher
651-201-6629
larry.schumacher@state.mn.us