January 18, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Kanabec County for the first time, as well as additional areas in Cass and Isanti counties. There are now 47 counties in the state with EAB.
These finds are attributed to EAB surveys being conducted this fall and winter by the MDA in 156 Minnesota communities. The MDA was awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service to conduct these surveys, which will assist communities in their efforts to protect forests. Surveying will continue through spring.
In Kanabec County, EAB infestations were found near the town of Quamba along Highway 23. Additional infestations were found near Hackensack in Cass County and Cambridge in Isanti County.
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.
To slow the spread of EAB, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of Kanabec County. The department will also quarantine all of Isanti County. This is an expansion of the previous partial quarantine announced in November 2022. Furthermore, the MDA will quarantine the southern two-thirds of Cass County. The northern border of the quarantine will now extend from the western county line along Highway 34 to Walker, Highway 200 to the southern exterior border of Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, north to Highway 200, and east to the county border. A portion of Cass County was first quarantined in October 2023.
Quarantines limit the movement of firewood, mulch, and all ash material out of the quarantined areas.
A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals in these counties will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 10-11 a.m. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.
Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
January 25, 2024
10–11 a.m.
Register at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab
The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add these county emergency quarantines to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantines now through February 29, 2024, and recommends adopting the quarantines on March 4, 2024. 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
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
January 19, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued an updated map that will help farmers across the state comply with the Groundwater Protection Rule. The rule restricts fall application of nitrogen fertilizer in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination, and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of contamination in areas where nitrate is already elevated in public water supply wells.
The MDA has made changes to the Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions Map which is accessible on the MDA website. Three Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs) were removed from the map, and none were added. Two of the DWSMAs were found to have non-agricultural sources of nitrate, while the third was removed after further sampling data indicated the nitrate levels were below the threshold for inclusion. Additional information on the fall application restrictions and exceptions to the restrictions can be found on the MDA’s website.
The restriction of fall application of nitrogen fertilizer on these acres will begin September 1, 2024. Farmers are encouraged to check the new map prior to fall 2024 to determine if their fields are subject to these restrictions.
For more information on the Groundwater Protection Rule visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
During the plan review process, it is the responsibility of the applicant
The application period for this program is closed.
January 25, 2024
To help Minnesota farmers and ranchers protect livestock from disease and other risks, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new grant opportunity to help eligible producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will help prevent disease outbreaks and protect animals not currently covered by existing depredation programs.
The Protecting Livestock Grant Program, also referred to as the Protect Grant, offers one-time competitive grants of up to $10,000 and requires a 50% match. While all types of livestock operations are eligible to apply, priority consideration will be given to those who produce:
- Cervids (farmed elk and deer): Due to new fencing requirements passed during the 2023 legislative session.
- Poultry and ratites (ostrich, emu): Due to the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since 2022, the most recent outbreak has affected at least 150 poultry operations and more than 6 million birds in Minnesota.
“With risks like chronic wasting disease and HPAI continuing to threaten Minnesota livestock, it’s important for farmers and ranchers to take proactive efforts to protect their animals,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “I encourage all livestock producers to apply for these grant funds to fortify their operations.”
For the purpose of this program, “livestock” includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), llamas, and honeybees.
Eligible projects include fencing, electronic animal ID systems, air filtration, exclusion systems, Danish entry systems, truck washes, and other strategies to prevent and mitigate disease and other risks.
A total of $500,000 is available, and the MDA expects to award 50-75 grants. Applications are currently being accepted through March 7, 2024. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, about whether their proposal was funded.
The Protecting Livestock Grant Program is funded through the Agricultural Growth and Research Initiative (AGRI) Program, which provides grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
Full grant details and the request for proposals (RFP) can be found on the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
January 25, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion made its return to Las Vegas for the 2024 Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show, which took place January 21 through 23. Four local food and beverage businesses exhibited as part of the agency’s space, bringing a taste of Minnesota to Nevada.
The MDA’s Minnesota Pavilion program supports Minnesota food and beverage companies in attending national trade shows, offering discounted booth space as well as promotional and logistical support surrounding show attendance. The program aims to encourage food manufacturing in Minnesota, increase the use of local agricultural ingredients, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.
The following brands participated in the Minnesota Pavilion at 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show:
- Janet’s Finest Compotes: Berry and jalapeno compotes with a sweet and spicy kick.
- Maazah Chutney: Flavor-packed Middle Eastern sauces.
- Mixly Cocktail Co.: Premium mocktail and cocktail mixers.
- Plucky Pickle Dip: Tangy and crunchy snackable dips.
“The Fancy Food Show is a great hub for networking and discovering new trends. We went looking to connect with our major retail partners as well as new regional retailers,” says Yasameen Sajady, co-founder and CEO of Maazah. “This year’s show was phenomenal! Great retailers, media, and service providers."
“It is so exciting to see these Minnesota companies putting their best foot forward at the Winter Fancy Food Show to make an impression with nation-wide retailers and distributors in the specialty food category,” said Jennifer Alexander, the MDA’s food business development administrator. “Attending trade shows like this provides unique opportunities for new connections and partnerships, which is not only a big win for the companies but for Minnesota as well."
The Winter Fancy Food Show, organized by the Specialty Food Association, is “where specialty food makers go to exhibit their newest and best products and where buyers go to find their next bestsellers.” With thousands of specialty food artisans, entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers, purveyors, and importers under one roof, the show offers three days of sampling, networking, and education designed to help grow specialty food businesses.
Minnesota Pavilion is offered as part of Make it Minnesota, the MDA’s food and beverage business development program. Visit the Make it Minnesota web page for more details about available business support programs as well as future Pavilion opportunities.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
