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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is looking for public input as the agency develops a strategic plan for 2023-2027. Building on feedback gathered in the fall of 2022 for legislative session ideas, the MDA is again looking for input as the department reviews and shapes goals and priorities for the next four years.

The MDA seeks to engage with communities throughout Minnesota to hear ideas that reflect the diversity of the state. Input is welcome from all, especially emerging and beginning farmers who may have had little to no interaction with state government.

Citizens are encouraged to share their ideas online or by attending one of two virtual input sessions. The online form is open until 5 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023.

The input sessions will be held:

• Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Register for this event.
• Wednesday, March 8, 2023, from 2 – 3 p.m. Register for this event.

Please send requests for interpretation through the registration link three business days ahead of the session to ensure accommodation. Recordings of these sessions will be available for 30 days after they occur.

Note that all submissions and ideas will be reviewed and considered; however, not every item can be included in the final strategic plan.

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

Minnesota produce farmers who improve on-farm food safety systems may be eligible to reimburse their expenses through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2023 Produce Safety Mini-Grant, which is now accepting applications.

The Produce Safety Mini-Grant will distribute a total of approximately $26,400. Awardees will receive up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required.

Applicants must be a Minnesota produce farmer that sells one or more of the following crops to be eligible: leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, or tomatoes.

Growers may be reimbursed for past expenses occurring January 1, 2022 – March 25, 2023, and future expenses taking place March 26, 2023 – July 14, 2023.

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Supplies to build or purchase a portable handwashing station
• Harvest totes or collection tools
• Water testing for generic E. coli
• Consultation fees for developing an on-farm food safety plan
• Waxed boxes and market containers

Additional information and the online application are available on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/minigrant.

Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 to request a paper copy. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2023.

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Media Contact

Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
larry.schumacher@state.mn.us

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