A number of beginning farmers in Minnesota will be getting grants from the State Department of Agriculture. Gareth Spears-Thomas of Clearwater County received a grant of nearly $6700 for welded pipe fencing for livestock production. Casey Schmit from Polk County received a $9000 grant to go toward a grain cart to haul harvested farm products. …
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2026 is expected to be a tough year for farmers across the country, and many farmers may have to try something new in 2026 to stay on top of dwindling commodity prices. R&J Ag Reporter Nick Revier caught up with Minnesota Department of Ag Commissioner Thom Peterson who says producers will need to get creative…
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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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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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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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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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