Tag: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Area Farmers’ Markets Receive State Grants

The Kinfolk Market in Ada and Crookston Farmers’ Market Association have received grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant Program.  The Kinfolk Market received a $10,000 grant, while the Crookston Farmers’ Market Association received $5,485.  These grants are meant to help strengthen and expand nutrition assistance.  29 farmers’ markets across…
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June 12, 2025 0

Farm To School Grants

ST. PAUL, MN—Several area schools have received grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School program.  This is meant to encourage schools to serve local foods for meals and snacks.  Hawley will receive $5740 for food and equipment, and St. Michael’s School of Mahnomen will get $2500 in what are called First Bite…
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May 1, 2025 0

Department of Ag looking to expand amount of weather stations 

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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March 21, 2025 0

MN Ag Commissioner lays out Legislative Priorities 

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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January 16, 2025 0

Minnesota Ag Commissioner Visiting Corey Hanson Farm 

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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January 14, 2025 0

MDA Commissioner discusses 2025 Legislative Session 

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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December 13, 2024 0

Biofuel Grants Go To Area Gas Stations

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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July 23, 2024 0

Minnesota Farmer Suing State of Minnesota for racial discrimination

 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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February 1, 2024 0

Minnesota Department of Agriculture updates Groundwater Protection Map 

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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January 22, 2024 0

Minnesota Organic Conference Online Registration fast approaching 

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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January 5, 2024 0