Weather plays a major role in agriculture across Northwest Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is looking to expand their weather services across the state. Stefan Bischof of the Minnesota Department of Ag Weather Network tells us more. Bischof says this project wouldn’t be possible, without their partnership with North Dakota based NDawn, and…
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The Minnesota Legislature is in session, and getting as much funding as possible is a priority for most state departments including the Department of Agriculture. MN Ag Commissioner Thom Peterson tells us what their budget priorities are in 2025. The current power balance in the Minnesota Legislature is a temporary one seat majority for the…
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Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen will be touring Gary Farmer Corey Hanson’s farm later today. Hanson tells us more about the reason for the visit. Hanson also spoke more on the Water Quality Certification program, and why it’s an important program to him, and agriculture as a whole. The full conversation with Corey Hanson can…
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R&J Ag Reporter Nick Revier was at the Prairie Grains Conference in Grand Forks yesterday, and had the opportunity to catch up with Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. With the upcoming legislative session set to start after the new year Petersen highlighted some concerns he’s been hearing from farmers, and how things look…
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Three retail service stations in the region are among 16 that will receive grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to increase access to sales of motor fuels that contain at least 15 percent ethanol. Kenny’s Tire and Auto of Bemidji and the Sabin C Store will both receive $199,000 grants, while Station 59 in…
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A Beltrami County farmer is suing the Minnesota Governor’s Office and the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for racial discrimination over Minnesota’s emerging farmer grant program. The lawsuit filed by Lance Nistler of Beltrami County alleges that his denied application for the Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant program was a violation of his…
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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued an update to the Groundwater Protection rule map map that will help farmers across the state comply with the new Groundwater Protection Rules. 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…
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Online registration is currently open for the Minnesota Organic Conference that is scheduled to take place on January 11 and 12, in St Cloud. Event representative Cassie Dahl tells us more. Dahl says that there will also be a chance to take part in some breakout sessions and do some networking among other opportunities to…
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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority is now accepting applications for the 2024 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, an annual program available to landlords and sellers who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers. Total funding available for the 2024 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program is $4 million,…
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As part of a continued effort to strengthen support available to Minnesota’s emerging farmers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has announced recipients of grant funding for organizations that provide business and technical support to farmers from historically underserved communities. Through the Emerging Farmer Technical Assistance Grant Program eight organizations have received a total of $554,920…
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