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Minnesota partner organizations who serve meat and poultry processors are encouraged to apply for the Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant, a new funding opportunity available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

The intent of the Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant is to award one-time funding to partner organizations that will work with small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors in hiring and training new employees through the development of incentive projects like tuition reimbursements, sign-on and retention bonuses, and childcare stipends.

Eligible partner organizations include foundations engaged in economic development, community development financial institutions, federally recognized economic development districts, and community development corporations.

The MDA anticipates awarding up to $544,000 in Train & Retain Grants using a competitive review process. The maximum award amount is $250,000, and the minimum award amount is $10,000. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.

This grant program prioritizes partner organizations working in partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or whose efforts would target or serve meat or poultry processors that are owned by individuals in historically underserved communities, businesses that directly serve historically underserved communities, or individuals from historically underserved communities with interest in working in meat processing.

Grant applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024. For further information and to submit your online application, visit the Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant web page.

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

Recognizing the risks posed by extreme weather, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new 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 one-time competitive 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.

“In the past few years, we’ve seen examples of extreme weather like record flooding and drought affect farming operations throughout Minnesota,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “These grants will help producers bolster their operations and get ahead of the curve in terms of anticipating and managing the risks of future weather events.”

For the purposes of this grant program:

• Livestock includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), 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 with the $500,000 available for this program and encourages producers to apply early. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. Central Time on April 23, 2024, and the MDA will notify applicants as soon as possible, but no later than May 31, about whether their proposal was funded.

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

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 and prepare for possible future attendance. This year’s Walk the Floor mentee is Quebracho Empanadas, winner of the Food/Ag/Beverage Division in the University of Minnesota’s 2023 MN Cup competition, who will partner with long-time exhibitor and 2024 NEXTY Awards Finalist, Seven Sundays.

Minnesota-based Maazah, winner of NPEW’s 2023 Pitch Slam, will also exhibit in the North Hall Level 200 Hot Products section. Pitch Slam Awards are given to standout emerging brands that compete in a fast-paced pitch competition at Expo West. As last year’s grand prize winner, Maazah received a free booth at this year’s show, as well as over $30,000 in services from Expo West organizer, New Hope Network.

The Minnesota Pavilion at Expo West is made possible by the MDA and the support of our event sponsors and partners: Indie Do Good, FoodOps, Naturally Minnesota, NearestYou, and Smart Start Solutions.

Visit the MDA website to learn more about the Make it Minnesota 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

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are proposing to treat spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestations this summer in seven counties across eastern Minnesota.

Spongy moths are ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests. The insect has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England westward in recent decades. Spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. This pest is found in most of Wisconsin and is now establishing itself in northeastern Minnesota.

The MDA monitors for spongy moth each year, surveying for start-up infestations. When an infestation is found, the department conducts aerial treatments and targets the infestation before it can spread. The number of spongy moths detected in Minnesota in recent years has increased, and populations continue to push westward. The increase in moths created the need for more treatment areas in 2024.

Forty-two treatment areas totaling approximately 160,000 acres are proposed in Carlton, Chisago, Fillmore, Houston, Isanti, Pine, and St. Louis counties. The areas will be treated with either: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a biological insecticide that is organically certified for use on food crops, or mating disruption, an organic substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. Residents can view an interactive map on the MDA website to determine if they’re located within any of the proposed treatment areas. 

The treatments will be conducted from June through July, depending on insect development and weather.

The MDA has successfully treated dozens of spongy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to the Twin Cities to Houston County. These successful treatments help postpone the full-scale invasion of spongy moth. They also save local communities and homeowners money and protect the health of the state’s urban and natural forests.

Residents in proposed treatment areas and the public are invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the insect and the treatment methods.

To register for virtual meetings, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/smtreatments.

Residents in proposed treatment areas will also be receiving a postcard with more information. Citizens can also find info on spongy moth treatments, sign-up for text or email notifications, and proposed treatment area maps at www.mda.state.mn.us/smtreatments.

Comments on any of the proposed treatments are being accepted through April 15, 2024. Comments should be submitted in writing via mail or email to:

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

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

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid consuming certain ground or powdered cinnamon products.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert for these products after determining they contain elevated levels of lead. Prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe and could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood.

The products in question are:

• La Fiesta Canela Molida (Ground Cinnamon) sold at La Superior and SuperMercado retailers and online. Affected lot code 25033.
• Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar retailers. “Best if used by” code dates affected are:
  • 09/29/25 09E8
  • 04/17/25  04E11
  • 12/19/25 12C2
  • 04/12/25 04ECB12
  • 08/24/25 08A_ _
  • 04/21/25 04E5
  • 2025-09-22 09E20 (Missouri) 
• Marcum Ground Cinnamon sold at Save A Lot stores and online retailers. “Best if used by” code dates affected are 10/16/25 10DB and 04/06/25 0400B1 (Missouri).
• Swad Cinnamon Powder sold at Patel Brothers and online retailers. Affected lot code is KX21223.

Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve the above listed ground cinnamon products and should discard them. If there is suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to your healthcare provider. Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure.

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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us