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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Clay County for the first time. There are now 39 counties in the state, including Clay, with EAB.

A Moorhead city forester found evidence of EAB while pruning trees. The tree had visible woodpecker damage and when the bark was peeled back galleries and insect larvae were present. MDA staff collected the suspected EAB larvae samples. Federal identification confirmed emerald ash borer.

EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.

Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Clay County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of the western portion of the county, from State Highway 9 west to the North Dakota border, which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.

In addition to this being the first EAB find in Clay County, this is also the first EAB find in northwestern Minnesota. The detection is unfortunate but not unexpected, given the location is near a highly traveled corridor in the state. The public can help limit the spread of this harmful forest pest by not moving firewood and reporting any suspected infestations via the MDA’s Report a Pest service.

The MDA issues quarantines for all areas known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.

A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals in Clay County will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
Thursday, March 16, 2023
10-11 a.m.
Register here

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Clay County’s emergency quarantine to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantine now through April 14, 2023, and recommends adopting the quarantine on April 17, 2023. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:

Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Kimberly.TCremers@state.mn.us

There is more EAB information on the MDA website.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion is returning to Anaheim, California, for the Natural Products Expo West trade show March 7-11 to highlight 12 Minnesota food and beverage companies.

Expo West is the largest tradeshow of its kind for CPG (consumer packaged goods) businesses, attracting more than 80,000 industry attendees annually. Focused on marketing opportunities for makers of organic, natural, and healthy foods, the event brings together folks from across the national and international food ecosystem.

The MDA will support the exhibiting Minnesota food and beverage companies with promotional and logistical support leading up to the show and on the ground in Anaheim, with an aim to increase the use of Minnesota agricultural ingredients, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.

“We are thrilled to be returning to Expo West to highlight these Minnesota-based companies that are offering innovative products in the natural and organic food space,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “The MDA is proud that we can continue to provide exposure on a national-scale for these brands.”

The following Minnesota brands will be exhibiting as part of the Minnesota Pavilion:

• Acremade
• All Clean Food
• Bim Bam Boo
• Clo-Clo Vegan Foods
• Coconut Whisk
• Freak Flag Organics
• JonnyPops
• Mighty Spark Foods
• Peace Coffee
• Seven Sundays
• Toom Garlic Dips
• UFisheries

Minnesota food and beverage startup companies can also attend Expo West as mentees through the MDA’s Walk the Floor Mentorship Program, to learn about trade show preparation and execution for possible future exhibition. Junita’s Jar and Plucky Pickle Dip will join as this year’s mentees.

Additionally, the MDA and Naturally Minnesota are teaming up to host the fourth annual Minnesota Mingle event at Expo West on March 9. This offers the opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees from Minnesota's growing food startup and innovation community including founders, industry leaders, investors, retailers, and more.  More than 150 guests are expected to attend this year’s event, showing Minnesota’s continued strength at the trade show.

The Minnesota Pavilion at Expo West is made possible by the MDA and the support of our event sponsors and partners: AURI, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), GreaterMSP, GoodCarts, Naturally Minnesota, NearestYou, and Renewing the Countryside.

Learn more about the New Markets Program and the Minnesota Pavilion at Natural Products Expo West.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
 

Six Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2023 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA).

This year’s winners include:

• Northwest: Lueken’s Village Foods, Bemidji
• Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
• West Central: Pine River Family Market, Pine River
• Southwest: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia
• Twin Cities: Kowalski’s, White Bear Lake
• People’s Choice: Knowlan’s Supermarket, Maplewood

“We thank these grocers and their employees for their leadership in highlighting locally grown foods for their customers,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Minnesota-grown products are essential in providing fresh and nutritious foods to communities across the state.”

MDA and MGA staff will be presenting the awards in-person at a MGA event this spring, and will be conducting a Retailer of the Year tour to visit each of the winning stores. The retailers in their respective regions will receive a commemorative plaque, exclusive rights to use the “Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year 2023” logo in their ads and displays, as well as recognition amongst retailers and consumers that they are champions of all things local.

Judging was based on several factors, including the number of Minnesota Grown products and the number of Minnesota Grown farmers and producers that the grocer carried. Judges also looked at how the grocer used ads, displays, social media, and other events to promote Minnesota Grown items to customers.

“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 Jamie Pfuhl. “The success of 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.”

The 2023-2024 contest opens on August 1, 2023, and runs through September 30, 2023. Information about how to participate is available on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.

The Minnesota Grown Program is a statewide partnership between the MDA and Minnesota producers of specialty crops and livestock. It was created over 30 years ago by specialty crop growers to differentiate their produce from produce grown thousands of miles away.

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, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us