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For Minnesota farmers and livestock producers experiencing times of stress due to business and financial challenges, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a reminder of free, confidential tools that are available to help.

“From low commodity prices and extreme weather to continued threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Minnesota’s farmers and their families face a wide range of unique stressors that can have ripple effects in all areas of life,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “You do not have to navigate times of hardship on your own. I encourage farmers and their families to make use of the MDA’s resources designed to support you."

The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Calls are answered 24/7 by trained counselors who can lend a listening ear or connect you with help for business, financial, or legal problems. Call 833-600-2670 or text “FARMSTRESS” to 898211 to get started.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis caused by either a natural disaster or financial problems, contact one of the MDA’s nine Farm Advocates. They know all about agricultural lending practices, mediation, lender negotiation, farm programs, crisis counseling, disaster programs, and to recognize the need for legal and/or social services.

Minnesota also has Ted Matthews and Monica McConkey, experienced, ag-focused mental health providers who offer confidential counseling services at no cost to farm individuals, couples, or families anywhere in the state. Sessions can take place in person, on Zoom, or over the phone, and insurance is not needed. They have helped hundreds of Minnesota farmers and farm family members over the years.

For financial assistance, the Rural Finance Authority (RFA) provides a variety of low-interest loans, including one for disaster relief. The MDA also posts a number of grant opportunities throughout the year, such as the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant, which can help improve, update, and modernize livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.

Specific to dairy farms, Dairy Business Planning Grants cover 50% of your cost to hire a qualified, independent third party to create a business plan for your operation or test for stray voltage. Dairy Profit Teams provide planning and problem-solving services throughout Minnesota.

To learn more about all of the state resources that are available to help in times of stress, visit www.minnesotafarmstress.com, or contact the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or by texting “FARMSTRESS” to 898211.

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

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials are warning Minnesota consumers not to eat Infinite Herbs brand organic basil in 2.5-ounce clamshell-style containers purchased at Trader Joe’s, due to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Four Minnesotans between 3 and 59 years of age, all from the metro area, became ill between Feb. 15 and March 27. None of them were hospitalized and none died. Their illnesses have been linked to eating Infinite Herbs brand basil purchased at Trader Joe’s.

Nationally, a total of 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states.

Trader Joe’s has removed the product from its shelves. Anyone who has it in their refrigerator or freezer should throw it away.

Since many people with Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) do not seek health care and get tested, the number of ill people that are part of this outbreak is likely to be larger than the identified cases. People who consumed the product, become sick and are concerned about their health should consult their health care provider and mention this outbreak.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 96 hours after exposure, but they can begin up to two weeks after exposure. Infections usually clear in five to seven days, but about 28% of laboratory-confirmed cases require hospitalization. Many Salmonella infections in otherwise healthy people do not require medical treatment. More serious infections occasionally occur. For those who seek health care, most do not require antibiotics. However, antibiotic treatment may be warranted in some cases.

Approximately 1,000 Salmonella infections are reported each year in Minnesota. More information on Salmonella and how to prevent it can be found on the MDH website at Salmonellosis (Salmonella).

MDH is working with MDA, CDC and FDA on this ongoing, multi-state investigation.

Federal alerts:

• FDA - Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Organic Basil (April 2024)
• CDC - Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Fresh Basil: Food Safety Alert

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Amy Barrett, MDH Communications
651-201-4993
Amy.Barrett@state.mn.us
www.health.state.mn.us

Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
www.mda.state.mn.us

Minnesota farmers and communities throughout the state are benefitting from a new program aimed at local and regional food systems. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded 33 organizations, local units of government, and tribal nations $3.53 million in grants through the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program. The program provides funding for projects that buy local food primarily from socially disadvantaged farmers and distribute that food at no cost to underserved communities.

The MDA is also accepting applications for a second round of LFPA Program grants. Applications will be accepted through May 20, 2024. Applicants may request between $20,000 and $125,000, and the MDA anticipates awarding roughly $3.1 million in this second round. The application and more information can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/lfpa.

Interested parties can attend one of two virtual information sessions to learn more about the LFPA Program. The sessions will be held at the following times:

                • May 1, 2024, from 5 – 6 p.m. Register for this event.

                • May 2, 2024, from 12 – 1 p.m. Register for this event.

In the first round of grants, the MDA received 50 proposals requesting approximately $5.9 million. The grant recipients are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the MDA $8,141,877 million in LFPA funding. The LFPA Program is authorized by the American Rescue Plan to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.

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

St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Rock County for the first time. There are now 51 counties in the state, including Rock, with EAB.

An arborist working in Rock County discovered an EAB infestation near Beaver Creek about 5 miles from the South Dakota border. The arborist reported the infestation via the MDA’s Report A Pest service. EAB larvae was later found, and samples were collected by MDA staff. Federal identification confirmed the samples as 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 Rock County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of the county. The quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.

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 Rock County will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 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:
May 8, 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 Rock County’s emergency quarantine to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantine now through June 10, 2024, and recommends adopting the quarantine on June 12, 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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Contact

Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
brittany.raveill@state.mn.us

Warm spring weather is here, and many Minnesotans are thinking about their lawns, trees and gardens. Whether you do yardwork yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers on your property by following all label directions.

Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products safely and effectively. In Minnesota, it is unlawful to apply products without following label instructions. The label is the law.

If you hire a professional lawn care provider, do your homework. State law requires pesticide applicators to be licensed by the MDA to commercially apply pesticides and fertilizers, including weed and feed product. Applicators must know and understand state and federal regulations regarding all aspects of pesticide and fertilizer handling, application, and disposal to be licensed by the MDA. The following are helpful tips for a safe spring season.

If you do it yourself:

• Read and follow all label directions.
• Do not apply products in windy or adverse weather conditions. High wind can cause products to drift and potentially harm people, pets, or plants.
• Sweep sidewalks and hard surfaces of any dry or granular product and reapply to the intended site. Pesticides left on watertight surfaces easily wash into our water supply.
• Buy only what you need. Unused products must be stored according to the label. They can also lose effectiveness over time and be difficult to dispose of properly.

If you hire a professional:

• Professionals must be licensed by the MDA and carry their pesticide applicator license with them. Ask to see their license before they start work. You can also look up license holders on the MDA website: www.mda.state.mn.us/licensinglookup. Search under “Fertilizer Companies with Commercial Pesticide Applicators” or “Pesticide Applicator/Manure License” with a “Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Turf and Ornamentals” license type.
• Be cautious of people who claim their products are completely safe or pressure you to sign a service contract.
• Recognize posted warning flags in areas that have been chemically treated.
• Applicators are required to provide an application record to you. Review the records, including products used and the amounts applied.
• Be sure the applicator sweeps the sidewalks and hard surfaces clean of any dry or granular products.

For information about applicator licenses, call the MDA at 651-201-6615. To report unlicensed applicators, please file a complaint on the MDA website or call 651-201-6333.

Consumers can call the Better Business Bureau at 651-699-1111 and check customer satisfaction histories for lawn care companies.

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