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Fairgoers of all ages will connect agriculture to their daily lives with educational, engaging, and fun hands-on activities and games at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2024 State Fair exhibit.

A kid-oriented activity, sponsored by Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, is scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. all 12 days of the fair. Children can make a seed bomb matrix at the booth, then take it home and plant it in their own yard or garden and see it grow!

In addition, the MDA’s Emerging Farmers Office will be providing resources that aim to help beginning and emerging farmers across the state in underrepresented farming communities. The office will supply information on land access, grants and resources, and language accessibility.

Farmer-members of the Minnesota Grown local foods promotion program will also be on hand to answer questions about their food production and farm operations, give out copies of the Minnesota Grown Directory of local farms and farmers markets, and to handout temporary tattoos, as well as Swedish dishcloths.

Furthermore, fairgoers can find out more about Minnesota’s invasive pests and noxious weeds, from spongy moth to emerald ash borer. The booth will provide an educational experience through a themed prize wheel with various questions regarding invasive species topics. Information on managing noxious weeds and steps to protect our environment from pests are also available.

The MDA State Fair exhibit is in the North Hall of the Agriculture/Horticulture Building at the northeast corner of Underwood Street and Judson Avenue on the fairgrounds. The Minnesota State Fair runs Thursday, August 22 through Labor Day, September 2. Exhibits are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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

To combat the spread of avian influenza on Minnesota farms, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for grants to help livestock producers buy and install preventative equipment for their operations.

Funded through a 2024 legislative appropriation to the MDA’s Agricultural Growth and Research Initiative (AGRI) Program, the Protect Grant reimburses up to 80% of the cost of eligible virus prevention measures, with a maximum award of $10,000 per farm. A 20% cash match is required, which may be reduced by up to $2,000 for related time and labor costs incurred by the applicant. Approximately $500,000 will be awarded in this round of grants.

A previous round of Protect Grant funding in early 2024 awarded $500,000 to 54 producers in 34 counties across the state.

“As Minnesota’s livestock operations continue to be on the frontlines of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, it’s essential that producers take every opportunity available to protect their animals and prevent the further spread of this disease. I thank the state Legislature for this funding, which will be helpful in mitigating the virus’ future impact on Minnesota agriculture,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.

Protect Grant applicants must be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota that produces and sells at least $1,000 of livestock products annually. Beginning farmers (those who have farmed for 10 years or less) will be prioritized in this round of awards.

For the purposes of this grant, livestock includes beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.

Examples of eligible equipment include lasers, sound machines, and other measures to scare wild species away from livestock operations; isolation pens; electronic animal ID systems; air filtration systems; Danish entry systems; and truck washes.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 31, 2024, and the MDA plans to notify applicants of decisions no later than December 18, 2024. Grant awards can only be used for the purchase of eligible items made after grant contract agreements are signed, which is expected to take place in February 2025.

Visit the MDA website for full grant details and to apply.

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

Minnesota organic farmers and handlers currently certified through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program may be eligible for a rebate of up to 75% of their certification costs.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is open to Minnesota operations that received organic certification (or had ongoing certification) between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The program provides reimbursement for up to 75% of certification-related expenses, with a maximum of $750 per category (crop, livestock, processing/handling, and wild harvest).

Applications for the cost-share are due October 31, 2024. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and come from a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Interested farmers or handlers can review full program and application details on the MDA website. Applicants that do not wish to apply through the MDA may apply through their local FSA Office. Questions can be directed to Cassie Dahl at Cassie.Dahl@state.mn.us or 651-201-6134.

Organic certification is a third-party verification system that assures consumers the organic products they buy are produced in accordance with federal organic regulations. Organic operations must follow National Organic Standards and are monitored through review of their records and on-site inspections at least once a year.

For those transitioning a farm operation to organic, the MDA also offers the Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share Program.

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