At Risk
Scientific Name: Ralstonia ps
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition of this observance, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is recognizing an individual who has dedicated his career to supporting the mental health of Minnesota’s farm families. Ted Matthews, a long-serving agricultural mental health counselor, will retire at the end of June after decades of service to farmers across Minnesota.
Matthews has spent more than 30 years listening to farmers through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. In the 1990s, Farm Business Management instructors, with support from the MDA and funds from the Minnesota Legislature, helped launch a pioneering model of mental health care tailored to the unique realities of rural life. Matthews’ approach was simple: meet farmers where they are, honor their unique challenges and culture, and offer counseling without red tape, insurance requirements, or cost.
Research shows that farmers experience common mental health conditions more often than the general population. According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate among U.S. farmers is 3.5 times higher than the national average. However, Matthews is quick to point out that the persistent stress inherent in farming and ranching can still take a significant toll on health, relationships, and outlook even without a formal mental health diagnosis.
Over his long career, Matthews has supported individuals and families coping with anxiety, depression, loss, and isolation. He’s been there for farm couples navigating relationship strain, families grieving a loved one lost to suicide, and those dealing with the trauma of having to depopulate flocks or herds during disease outbreaks. His presence has been a lifeline during times when few others knew what to say or how to help.
“Ted’s impact on rural mental health in Minnesota can’t be overstated. He has brought hope and healing to many in crisis with humility and heart.” Says MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.
As he prepares to retire, the MDA invites those who have worked with Ted Matthews, or been impacted by his support, to share memories, express gratitude, or send well wishes. Notes can be emailed to Meg Moynihan at Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us or shared by phone at 651-201-6616. Messages can be anonymous.
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
In 2022, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the MDA through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development. This includes, but not limited to, regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza® perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry.
The Request for Proposals for this one-time competitive grant opportunity opened Monday, March 13, 2023 and closed April 23, 2023. A summary of selected projects is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Drug & Gifts | Purchase a freeze dryer to expand the market of continuous living cover crops, primarily fruit. | $50,000 |
| Midwest Elderberry Cooperative | Design, build, and test a continuous flow prototype elderberry destemmer that can be linked to a wash, dry, and freeze process conveyor line. | $48,800 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Alliance | Purchase a mechanical harvester and two de-husking units for two hazelnut grower networks in Minnesota to hasten ongoing development of supply chains. | $50,000 |
| Nine Hazels Farm | Improve greenhouse operation to produce hybrid hazelnut seedling plugs for sale. | $29,657 |
| Perennial Pantry | Build team capacity and develop standard operating procedures to operationalize a processing plant dedicated to the production of CLC products. | $50,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative | Develop capacities to and systems required to market Kernza. | $50,000 |
Unused funds may be included in a second RFP in June 2024.
LCCMR Approved Project Work Plan
Funding for the program was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
In 2022, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the MDA through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development. This includes, but not limited to, regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza® perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry.
The Request for Proposals for this one-time competitive grant opportunity opened Monday, March 13, 2023 and closed April 23, 2023. A summary of selected projects is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Drug & Gifts | Purchase a freeze dryer to expand the market of continuous living cover crops, primarily fruit. | $50,000 |
| Midwest Elderberry Cooperative | Design, build, and test a continuous flow prototype elderberry destemmer that can be linked to a wash, dry, and freeze process conveyor line. | $48,800 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Alliance | Purchase a mechanical harvester and two de-husking units for two hazelnut grower networks in Minnesota to hasten ongoing development of supply chains. | $50,000 |
| Nine Hazels Farm | Improve greenhouse operation to produce hybrid hazelnut seedling plugs for sale. | $29,657 |
| Perennial Pantry | Build team capacity and develop standard operating procedures to operationalize a processing plant dedicated to the production of CLC products. | $50,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative | Develop capacities to and systems required to market Kernza. | $50,000 |
Unused funds may be included in a second RFP in June 2024.
LCCMR Approved Project Work Plan
Funding for the program was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
This grant round was funded with the remaining money allocated to the MDA by the LCCMR and the General Fund.
The Request for Proposals for this competitive grant opportunity opened June 10, 2024 and closed July 15, 2024. A summary of selected projects is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Bang Brewing Company LLC | Increase the percentage of Kernza® in their beer to meet the Perennial Percent™ label and improve marketing. Purchase and convert a van to sell beer as the sole brewer at Mill City Market. | $45,000 |
| Estling Farms Inc | Develop a dedicated seed cleaning line for emerging continuous living cover crops. A new seed cleaning line will reduce the cost of CLC crop seed for farmers in northern Minnesota. | $45,000 |
| Midwest Elderberry Cooperative | Improve the developing regional hub for harvested American elderberries by purchasing a used refrigerated container for storage and paving the driveway to accommodate large trucks. | $45,000 |
| Midwest Hazelnuts, LLC | Purchase the equipment, supplies, and services needed for one aggregation station at a Midwest Hazelnuts, LLC Go First Farm in Minnesota. | $44,772 |
| Perennial Pantry | Create marketing content and strategies to enhance capacity and increase sales of CLC products. | $45,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers | Continue market expansion for Kernza® and value-added products through customer lead generation/qualification/cultivation; provision of samples to prospective users; placement and fulfillment of orders; post-sale customer service; and coordination with value-added partners. | $45,000 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Alliance | Purchase and distribute improved Midwest Hazelnut LLC plant material directly to growers involved with the Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agroforestry ecosystem. This project will also fund training opportunities for growers. | $35,865 |
| Sturdiwheat,Inc. | Modify existing recipes to include 1% to 5% perennial grain flour and update the packaging design to highlight the perennial grains. | $45,000 |
| SUN Consulting Inc. | Build a self-propelled, mound bed cutter to sever the new woody stem of hazelnuts below the new root base, to harvest 2-year-old, farm-ready, bare root “whips” from propagation beds. | $36,000 |
| Tree Range Farms | Increase operational capacity to market the silvopasture poultry to Minnesota schools, communities, retailers, and restaurants. | $45,000 |
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the MDA for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous-living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development.
The first of two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for this competitive grant opened Monday, September 11, 2023 and closed October 2, 2023. A summary of selected project is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gertens | Propagate up to 10,000 farm-ready hybrid hazelnut plants | $50,000 |
| MSX Nexgen Inc. | Supply a regional location to preclean, dry, and store winter camelina, Kernza, and other CLC crops as needed. | $50,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative | Expand marketing to existing customers and sales of Kernza grain to new customers. | $48,000 |
| River Rock Kitchen & Baking Co | Incorporate Kernza into at least 75% of their baked goods. This project was featured in one of the Meet the Minnesota Makers articles. | $50,000 |
| Rookie Farmers, LLC | Purchase a winter camelina cleaning trailer. | $50,000 |
In 2022, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the MDA through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development. This includes, but not limited to, regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza® perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry.
The Request for Proposals for this one-time competitive grant opportunity opened Monday, March 13, 2023 and closed April 23, 2023. A summary of selected projects is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Drug & Gifts | Purchase a freeze dryer to expand the market of continuous living cover crops, primarily fruit. | $50,000 |
| Midwest Elderberry Cooperative | Design, build, and test a continuous flow prototype elderberry destemmer that can be linked to a wash, dry, and freeze process conveyor line. | $48,800 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Alliance | Purchase a mechanical harvester and two de-husking units for two hazelnut grower networks in Minnesota to hasten ongoing development of supply chains. | $50,000 |
| Nine Hazels Farm | Improve greenhouse operation to produce hybrid hazelnut seedling plugs for sale. | $29,657 |
| Perennial Pantry | Build team capacity and develop standard operating procedures to operationalize a processing plant dedicated to the production of CLC products. | $50,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative | Develop capacities to and systems required to market Kernza. | $50,000 |
Unused funds may be included in a second RFP in June 2024.
LCCMR Approved Project Work Plan
Funding for the program was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
For the purposes of this grant “continuous living cover crops and cropping systems” refer to agroforestry, perennial biomass, perennial forage, perennial grains, and winter-annual cereal grains and oilseeds that have market value as harvested or grazed commodities.
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the MDA for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous-living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development.
The first of two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for this competitive grant opened Monday, September 11, 2023 and closed October 2, 2023. A summary of selected project is included in the table below.
| Organization Name | Project Summary | Award Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gertens | Propagate up to 10,000 farm-ready hybrid hazelnut plants | $50,000 |
| MSX Nexgen Inc. | Supply a regional location to preclean, dry, and store winter camelina, Kernza, and other CLC crops as needed. | $50,000 |
| Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative | Expand marketing to existing customers and sales of Kernza grain to new customers. | $48,000 |
| River Rock Kitchen & Baking Co | Incorporate Kernza into at least 75% of their baked goods. This project was featured in one of the Meet the Minnesota Makers articles. | $50,000 |
| Rookie Farmers, LLC | Purchase a winter camelina cleaning trailer. | $50,000 |
