
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) are pleased to welcome two new agricultural mental health providers to serve farmers across Minnesota. The additions come following the retirement of longtime counselor Ted Matthews, who provided trusted support to farmers across the state for more than 30 years.
Funded through an appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature to R5DC, this mental health support program offers free, confidential counseling to farmers, farm family members, employees, agricultural workers, and advisors across Minnesota.
“Farmers are tough, but it’s not an easy profession,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “From unpredictable weather to rising input costs, farmers face an enormous amount of stress. Sometimes, just a few conversations with someone who understands can really help.”
Joining current agricultural mental health counselor Monica McConkey, who has served in the role since 2019, are Tracie Rutherford-Self and Jennifer Vaughn. All three are experienced mental health professionals who understand the unique stressors of agriculture and rural life. They are available statewide, offering flexible options for phone, Zoom, or in-person appointments.
- Jennifer Vaughn (Northern MN) is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked with rural youth and adults from diverse backgrounds. She has experience treating depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and other challenges. Reach Jennifer at (218) 820-6626.
- Tracie Rutherford-Self (Southern MN) is a licensed professional counselor who brings many years of mental health counseling and education experience, focusing on trauma, stress, and suicide prevention in farming and rural communities. Reach Tracie at (507) 514-7057.
- Monica McConkey (Western MN) was raised on a farm and understands the unique pressures that people in agriculture face. She is committed to helping adults, youth, and farm families recognize, manage, and navigate the stresses of farming and agriculture. Reach Monica at (218) 280-7785.
“In rural communities, stress and isolation can take a heavy toll,” said R5DC Executive Director Cheryal Hills. “Bringing Jenifer and Tracie on board with Monica helps R5DC continue its commitment to supporting farm families and agricultural professionals.”
All three providers offer free, confidential counseling for as long as needed. They offer flexible options for meeting and focus on helping individuals manage stress and develop healthy coping strategies. Monica, Jennifer, and Tracie are also available to lead educational programs and workshops.
Farmers and attendees at this year’s Farmfest can connect with farm stress resources all three days of the event at both the MDA Tent and the Farm Safety Pavilion. Tracie Rutherford-Self will be onsite Wednesday, August 6, to meet with visitors and answer questions. Free gun locks and printed materials will be available to take home.
Farmfest takes place Tuesday, August 5, through Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Historic Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. You can find the MDA Booth at #517S.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or visit minnesotafarmstress.com for resources and support 24/7.
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us

INSTRUCTIONS
Before applying, please review the complete Grant Instructions document with eligibility and other rules on the Down Payment Assistance Grant webpage.
Application Part A—Farmer Information
Complete the farmer information section and answer the yes/no eligibility and demographic questions using the definitions below. Note: The applicant name must match the purchaser of the land. Only one application per household. Married couples may only complete one combined application.
Definitions
Minnesota Resident means the applicant has established a permanent home within Minnesota’s borders and has no present intention of moving outside the state.
Good Standing with the State of Minnesota:
- No back taxes owed.
- No defaults on Minnesota State-backed financing for the last seven years.
- Acceptable performance on past MDA grants.
- Compliant with current state regulations.
Direct Ownership is when an individual is the direct owner of farmland, shareholder in an operation that includes farmland, or the beneficiary of a life estate that includes farmland. Indirect Ownership is any interest or traceable interest in farmland.
Direct family: has the meaning given in section 267(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, which includes siblings, spouses, parents, grandparents, children and other lineal descendants/ascendants. Aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, and cousins are not considered direct family.
Application Part B – Purchase Information
Complete the farmland purchase information section with as many details as you have for the land you intend to purchase. If you do not have some of this information, you may leave questions blank; however, you will need to be prepared with all this information and close on your farmland purchase within 6 months if your application is approved. If your grant application is approved, you will also need to provide copies of:
- Purchase agreement
- Schedule F or signed statement claiming no farm sales to report
- Loan estimates or other proof of secured financing
- Other documentation required as needed to ensure the applicant qualifies for this program
The MDA will award these grants using a random lottery process, with priority given to eligible applicants with no more than $100,000 in annual gross farm product sales and eligible applicants who are producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or specialty crops. Each award to be matched with at least $8,000 of other funding. Matching funds can be cash, loans, contract for deed, other grants, or any combination of these and other funding. The match does not need to be applicant cash. Complete grant RFP eligibility, rules, and instructions is available on the program website.
Privacy Notice: The information provided by an applicant will be used to assess the applicant’s eligibility to receive a Down Payment Assistance Grant from the MDA. The decision to apply for this grant is voluntary, and applicants are not legally required to provide any of the requested information. Applicants may decline to complete this application without any legal consequence. However, only completed applications will be considered for a grant; incomplete applications will not be considered.
Access to private or nonpublic data provided as part of this application is limited to those authorized by law, including but not necessarily limited to MDA staff and contractors with a valid work assignment to access the data, parties authorized by the applicant, parties identified in a valid court order or federal subpoena, Minnesota Management and Budget, Minnesota Department of Administration, the state auditor, and the legislative auditor. If necessary, the MDA may also share the data with law enforcement or the Office of the Attorney General.
The 2025 Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) season kicks off on June 15th!
Section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), allows for registration of a pesticide product as a Special Local Need (SLN).
EPA reviews these registrations and may disapprove the state registration if:
- The use is not covered by necessary tolerances.
- The use has been previously denied, disapproved, suspended or canceled by the Administrator or voluntarily canceled subsequent to a notice concerning health or environmental concerns.
Section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), allows for registration of a pesticide product as a Special Local Need (SLN).
EPA reviews these registrations and may disapprove the state registration if:
- The use is not covered by necessary tolerances.
- The use has been previously denied, disapproved, suspended or canceled by the Administrator or voluntarily canceled subsequent to a notice concerning health or environmental concerns.
Section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), allows for registration of a pesticide product as a Special Local Need (SLN).
EPA reviews these registrations and may disapprove the state registration if:
- The use is not covered by necessary tolerances.
- The use has been previously denied, disapproved, suspended or canceled by the Administrator or voluntarily canceled subsequent to a notice concerning health or environmental concerns.
Minnesota may register a new end use product for any use, or an additional use of a federally registered pesticide product, if the Commissioner determines that:
- The pesticide's composition warrants the proposed claims for the pesticide;
- The pesticide's label and other material required to be submitted comply with this chapter;
- The pesticide will perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effect on the environment;
- The pesticide will not generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment when used in accordance with label directions; and
- A special local need for the pesticide exists.
- Grower groups and technical experts from the university should be working in conjunction with the registrant to complete an application as soon as pest problem is recognized.
- The MDA expects new and renewal applications to be submitted by the registrant, in full, no later than 2 months prior to the initial use date.
- Registrants submit the application fee via mail to the address designated on the MDA application form.
- Registrants submit the completed application package via email to Haley Johnson at Haley.Johnson@state.mn.us with subject line: [PRODUCT NAME] 24c Application.
Applications will not be reviewed until the entire packet is submitted.
- A printed and completed "Application for Registration of New Section 24(c) Special Local Need Pesticide Products" (Listed under Forms + Resources)
- Application fee of $150/product (payable only by check)
- Registrant letter of support
- Efficacy and/or residue data
- Residue data- products classified for food or feed use.
- Efficacy data- products classified for public health use.
- Letter of support from a qualified knowledgeable expert
- The anticipated use dates for the product. (For example: June 1 through August 31.)
- A description of the pest problem.
- Name and description of the crop(s) or other site(s) of application
- Scientific and common name(s) of the pest(s)
- A description of whether the pest problem is localized in Minnesota, regional, or nationwide. Specify which other states have requested or been granted this request.
- A description of the proposed pesticide use (e.g. higher application rate, new use site)
- A summary of which existing pesticide and non-pesticide options/methods are available for managing the pest, and why they are insufficient.
- Document the lack of sufficient non-chemical pest control methods for the pest(s) of concern.
- Document the lack of sufficient EPA-registered pesticides by providing a list of the available pesticides currently registered for the proposed use including:
- Active ingredient(s)
- Explanation of why each pesticide will not sufficiently control the pest problem or is not sufficiently available.
- A discussion covering how the proposed use would not result in unreasonable adverse effects on people or the environment.
- Field studies, if available.
- Letter should be sent directly to the registrant for inclusion in the application package.
- Letter of support from commodity group
- A description of the pest problem.
- A summary of which existing pesticide and non-pesticide options/methods are available for managing the pest, and why they are insufficient.
- The anticipated use dates for the product. (For example: June 1 through August 31.)
- Letter should be sent directly to the registrant for inclusion in the application package.
- EPA Application for Notification of State Registration form No. 8570-25
- A draft SLN label
- The current Section 3 container label
Upon receiving a completed 24(c) product registration packet for an EPA registered product the State of Minnesota can begin the registration process. The MDA reviews the application package to ensure it is complete and meets both state and federal requirements:
- State:
- the pesticide's composition warrants the proposed claims for the pesticide;
- the pesticide's label and other material required to be submitted comply with this chapter;
- the pesticide will perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effect on the environment;
- the pesticide will not generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment when used in accordance with label directions; and
- a special local need for the pesticide exists.
- Federal:
- Special Local Need
- The additional use is covered by necessary tolerances or other clearances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
- Registration for the same use has not previously been denied, disapproved, suspended, or canceled by the Administrator, or voluntarily canceled by the registrant
- The state has determined that it will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment
- The MDA may request additional information.
- MDA review staff present their findings to management.
- The final decision is made by the MDA commissioner.
- After issuing a SLN registration, the MDA is then required by federal regulations to notify the EPA. EPA has 90 days from the effective date to disapprove the SLN registration (the SLN registration is valid during the 90-day EPA review period).
- SLN registrations and labels are given an expiration date typically one growing season in length up to five years from the approval date.
Once a 24(c) is within six months from its expiration date, the registrant is responsible for notifying the State of Minnesota if they want to request an extension to the expiration date or let the registration expire.
- Technical experts and commodity groups should keep track of expiration dates and inform the registrant of the need for renewal.
- If there is still a need, new support letters should be drafted addressing any new alternative products.
In order to request an extension past the label expiration date, the registrant will need to submit a new 24(c) registration packet in full, restarting the process from the beginning. This is to ensure a special local need still exists and a registration is still warranted.