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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture invites farmers, educators, researchers, and advocates to submit session proposals and speaker suggestions for the 2026 Minnesota Organic Conference, set for January 8-9, 2026, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, MN.

This annual event brings together growers of all experience levels — from aspiring and beginning farmers to seasoned organic producers — to connect, share knowledge, and advance organic agriculture in Minnesota.

Organizers welcome proposals for breakout sessions, panel discussions, and keynote speakers. Submissions will be accepted through June 13, 2025, through a simple online form. A planning committee will review all submissions and select a dynamic lineup of engaging sessions designed to meet the needs of farmers of all types and sizes. Selected presenters will receive complimentary conference registration, travel reimbursement, and for farmers and others who may need it, a speaking honorarium.

Information about trade show exhibiting and conference sponsorship will be available in late August. The full conference program will be released later this fall. Those interested in receiving exhibitor, sponsor, or program updates can sign up here.

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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition of this observance, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is recognizing an individual who has dedicated his career to supporting the mental health of Minnesota’s farm families. Ted Matthews, a long-serving agricultural mental health counselor, will retire at the end of June after decades of service to farmers across Minnesota.

Matthews has spent more than 30 years listening to farmers through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. In the 1990s, Farm Business Management instructors, with support from the MDA and funds from the Minnesota Legislature, helped launch a pioneering model of mental health care tailored to the unique realities of rural life. Matthews’ approach was simple: meet farmers where they are, honor their unique challenges and culture, and offer counseling without red tape, insurance requirements, or cost.

Research shows that farmers experience common mental health conditions more often than the general population. According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate among U.S. farmers is 3.5 times higher than the national average. However, Matthews is quick to point out that the persistent stress inherent in farming and ranching can still take a significant toll on health, relationships, and outlook even without a formal mental health diagnosis.

Over his long career, Matthews has supported individuals and families coping with anxiety, depression, loss, and isolation. He’s been there for farm couples navigating relationship strain, families grieving a loved one lost to suicide, and those dealing with the trauma of having to depopulate flocks or herds during disease outbreaks. His presence has been a lifeline during times when few others knew what to say or how to help. 

 “Ted’s impact on rural mental health in Minnesota can’t be overstated. He has brought hope and healing to many in crisis with humility and heart.” Says MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.

As he prepares to retire, the MDA invites those who have worked with Ted Matthews, or been impacted by his support, to share memories, express gratitude, or send well wishes. Notes can be emailed to Meg Moynihan at Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us or shared by phone at 651-201-6616. Messages can be anonymous.  

If you or somebody you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or visit minnesotafarmstress.com for resources and support 24/7.

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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us

With the arrival of spring, 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 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.

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. For more information about how to dispose of pesticides, visit the MDA website: /household-waste-pesticides

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 contact the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/us/mn 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

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced its recipients of the 2025 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Thirteen projects totaling $150,000 were awarded though the grant.

The money, awarded to cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and Tribal Nations, will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct mapping and outreach activities, and hire private applicators to manage noxious weeds.

Up to $15,000 was awarded to each recipient to be spent in one year.

The MDA has awarded over $1,700,000 since 2017 to local municipalities and tribal nations for projects that focus on noxious weeds throughout the state. These grants provide local communities with funds to perform essential noxious weed and invasive species work that otherwise may not be completed. The projects help communities take steps towards healthier local environments.

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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 proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards for Farm to School and Early Care. This new contest recognizes K-12 school districts, early care centers, and family day cares that go above and beyond to promote and serve foods grown and raised by Minnesota farmers and producers.

This year’s winners have earned the title of Cream of the Crop in their respective categories:

• School District of the Year: Minneapolis Public Schools
• Family Daycare of the Year: Little Skeeters Daycare (Bagley, MN)

“Minnesota continues to lead the way in farm to school, creating stronger connections between local farms, classrooms, and communities.” says MDA Commissioner, Thom Petersen. “We’re proud to recognize the schools and early care providers that are making local food a vital part of how we nourish students and invest in resilient local economies that support small family farms.”

Applicants were asked to share details about their local purchasing practices, how they promote and educate students about local foods, and how they engage with the broader community through events and activities. In their application, Cream of the Crop School District of the Year winner, Minneapolis Public Schools, highlighted their long-standing commitment with farm to school. “We have sourced farm-direct items from hundreds of producers since our program began in 2013. We anticipate spending more than $500,000 on Minnesota-grown produce, grains, beans, and proteins again next school year. This locally grown food is served in entrées, sides, and salad bars in more than 60 cafeterias throughout our district.”

Farm to School programming reaches beyond K–12 classrooms, extending into early care and family day care centers across Minnesota. Merry Charles, owner of Cream of the Crop Family Daycare of the Year, Little Skeeters Daycare in Bagley, MN, said that “children in my daycare learn everyday about good nutrition. They plant and grow all their own vegetables and this year we will be planting fruit trees. We make jams, jellies, and they freeze all the vegetables that we grow.”

In addition to the top awards, several schools and daycare providers were honored with Outstanding in the Field recognition at three levels:

Golden Drumstick Honors

• ISD 196 – Rosemount-Eagan-Apple Valley
• Mesabi East School District (Aurora, MN)

• Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center (Bemidji, MN)
• Roseville Area Schools

• Love and Laughter Family Child Care (Anoka, MN)

Silver Squash Honors

• Foley Area Schools
• Holy Rosary School (Detroit Lakes, MN)
• Cannon Falls Area Schools

Bronze Berry Honors

• White Bear Lake Area Schools
• Winona Area Public Schools
• Holdingford Public Schools

Winners of the Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop School District and Family Day Care of the Year will each receive exclusive rights to use the Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop branding for the award year, along with a commemorative plaque. Outstanding in the Field honorees will receive exclusive rights to use the Minnesota Grown Outstanding in the Field branding for the award year and a signed certificate. To learn more about the Cream of the Crop Awards, visit the contest website.

Minnesota Grown is a program of the MDA to promote products grown and raised in Minnesota. The program has connected consumers with local farmers, farmers’ markets, and other producers of agricultural products for over 40 years. Development of the Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards was supported by a Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant from the USDA.

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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is proud to announce Nathan Lund of Glacial Hills Elementary in Starbuck, MN as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. This honor recognizes K-12 educators in Minnesota who creatively integrate agriculture concepts into their classrooms. 

Lund has taught 5th and 6th grade at Glacial Hills Elementary since 2021. With his support, students in his class have gained a deeper appreciation for agriculture and the environment through hands-on learning experiences. These include starting and maintaining a schoolyard garden, incorporating hydroponic systems in the classroom, restoring native habitats around the school grounds, canning tomatoes from the garden, and hosting food-making contests. In addition, Lund launched a school-wide composting initiative with his students actively leading the effort each year.

“We were so impressed by the many ways Mr. Lund and his students are working with their community—whether it’s building outdoor learning spaces or participating in local environmental initiatives,” said Sue Knott, Education Specialist with MAITC, a program of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). “It’s clear he is creating a lasting impact in both the classroom and throughout the broader community.” 

Reflecting on his work, Lund shared “Witnessing students’ transformation into proactive environmental stewards over the past four years has been incredibly rewarding. It has reinforced my belief in the power of experiential learning to inspire real-world change and has motivated me to continue integrating environmental education and agriculture into our curriculum.” 

Lund credits programs like Ag in the Classroom, Lettuce Grow, Action for Healthy Kids, and Farm to School with helping him to bring authentic agriculture experiences into the classroom. “Through all of these different experiences, it is my goal to give students many opportunities to build life skills and a love of life-long learning and growing,” says Lund.

All licensed Minnesota K-12 educators who creatively integrate agricultural into non-agricultural subjects are eligible for the MAITC Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. As this year’s winner, Lund will receive $500 plus support to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference taking place in Minneapolis, MN, June 23-26. 

MAITC is a partnership between the MDA and the MAITC Foundation that seeks to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education. For free educational resources and to learn more about the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, visit the MAITC website. 

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Media Contact 
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us