The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredits private entities and government agencies to certify organic c
WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Minnesota. This USDA grant will help the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research.
“USDA applauds Minnesota’s continued commitment to supporting our nation’s producers of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded will foster innovative research and new market opportunities within the specialty crop sector, while furthering USDA’s goals of creating a more fair and equitable food system and supporting local and regional producers.”
Through the SCBGP, the MDA is funding 11 projects. Among the projects, is funding awarded to Twin Cities Berry Company LLC, a research and production farm. The farm will use funding to develop climate resilient practices for high-density strawberry production within protected culture structures. The research will help new and emerging farmers overcome spatial and environmental hurdles to achieve financial sustainability. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as pest management, farm to school marketing, and water management.
“The more paths to success we can offer Minnesota farmers, the better our state’s agricultural future will be,” Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “This funding will increase the state’s capacity to grow a wider variety of profitable crops. We’re thankful the USDA recognizes the importance of those efforts.”
More information about these awards is available on this webpage: 2022 SCBGP Awarded Grants (pdf).
The funding to Minnesota is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2022 SCBGP funding awarded to 55 states, territories and the District of Columbia. The SCBGP funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets, ensuring an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops, which are vital to the health and well-being of all Americans.
The funding for the SCBGP grants is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and FY2022 funding is awarded for a three-year period beginning September 30, 2022. Since 2006, USDA has invested more than $953 million through the SCBGP to fund 11,331 projects that have increased the long-term successes of producers and broadened the market for specialty crops in the U.S. and abroad.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
USDA Public Affairs
202-720-8998
PA@usda.gov
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are teaming up to offer conferences on Suicide Prevention for Rural Faith Leaders in Bemidji on September 27, 2022 and in Mankato on September 29, 2022.
Rural clergy and lay leaders of all faiths and denominations are welcome.
“Suicide can be prevented, and help is available,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “When someone is struggling, talking about suicide does not plant the idea in their head. It can help for them to know you are willing to talk about it and creates a safe opportunity to share their thoughts. We’re grateful our community leaders are creating a space to have those conversations.”
“Rural communities tend to be pretty close-knit, and suicides touch a lot of people when they happen,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Faith often plays a big role in the lives of farm families, so pastors and lay leaders can play a critical role in preventing these deaths.”
The conference will:
- Increase rural faith leaders’ understanding about suicide and how they can play a role in suicide prevention.
- Provide high quality information and resources that will help their communities prevent suicide.
- Help faith leaders provide care and support to those affected by suicide to promote healing and prevent further suicides.
Speakers will include:
- Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers
- Scott Roeder, Founder of Jackson Roeder Memorial Fund
- Dan Reidenberg Psy D., Executive Director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
- Ann Ellison, Director Interfaith Health at M Health Fairview
The agenda and speakers are identical at both locations, but panelists vary and may include Bishop William Tesch, ELCA; Cassandra Linkenmeyer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; Chaplain (Colonel-Retired) Glen Bloomstrom, LivingWorks Education; and others.
The conference is free, but pre-registration is required. Register online or by phone at 218-308-2148 (Bemidji) or 507-344-2747 (Mankato).
This event is partially underwritten by Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program award #2021-70035461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Other sponsors include Alluma, Minnesota State/AgCentric, Jackson Roeder Memorial Fund, LivingWorks Faith, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Minnesota.
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Media Contacts
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Erin McHenry Wolf, MDH Communications
651-201-3532
erin.mchenry@state.mn.us
Biennial Budget Public Input Session
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering ideas as we consider the state’s next biennial budget, and we want your input. Farmers, food businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are all invited to share policy, funding, and program suggestions.
The MDA is hosting two virtual public input sessions where people can share their ideas directly, in addition to an online form for written submissions open through September 15, 2022.
The two sessions will take place on Zoom. Participation is free, but registration is required. The sessions are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, September 7 2022, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Register for this event.
- Thursday, September 8, 2022, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register for this event.
The Minnesota Legislature appropriates funds for the MDA and related agricultural activities through a two-year budget bill that is part of the state’s overall government funding.
State budgets are set in legislative sessions that take place in odd-numbered years and are sometimes revised during sessions in even-numbered years. The next legislative session begins on January 3, 2023 and will determine the next two-year state budget.
Information about the MDA’s mission, leadership, and responsibilities is available on our website.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering ideas as we consider the state’s next biennial budget, and we want your input. Farmers, food businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are all invited to share policy, funding, and program suggestions.
The MDA is hosting two virtual public input sessions where people can share their ideas directly, in addition to an online form for written submissions open through September 15, 2022.
The two sessions will take place on Zoom. Participation is free, but registration is required. The sessions are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, September 7 2022, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Register for this event.
- Thursday, September 8, 2022, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register for this event.
The Minnesota Legislature appropriates funds for the MDA and related agricultural activities through a two-year budget bill that is part of the state’s overall government funding.
State budgets are set in legislative sessions that take place in odd-numbered years and are sometimes revised during sessions in even-numbered years. The next legislative session begins on January 3, 2023 and will determine the next two-year state budget.
Information about the MDA’s mission, leadership, and responsibilities is available on our website.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Central Lakes College Field Day
265050 County Road 2
Staples, MN 56479
The annual field day for Central Lakes Colleges Ag & Energy showcasing the ongoing research, trials, and latest technology.
All day events:
- Drone flights
- Tractor Ride N' Drive
Tours
- RCCP
- SWCD 60" Cover Crop
- Local Foods Tour
- LCCMR Projects - Cover Crops
- Hemp
- Kid's Garden and Activities
- Living Legacy Garden Ice Cream Social and Garden Tours
- Crow Wing River Forage Council Tour
Biennial Budget Public Input Session
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering ideas as we consider the state’s next biennial budget, and we want your input. Farmers, food businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are all invited to share policy, funding, and program suggestions.
The MDA is hosting two virtual public input sessions where people can share their ideas directly, in addition to an online form for written submissions open through September 15, 2022.
The two sessions will take place on Zoom. Participation is free, but registration is required. The sessions are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, September 7 2022, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Register for this event.
- Thursday, September 8, 2022, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register for this event.
The Minnesota Legislature appropriates funds for the MDA and related agricultural activities through a two-year budget bill that is part of the state’s overall government funding.
State budgets are set in legislative sessions that take place in odd-numbered years and are sometimes revised during sessions in even-numbered years. The next legislative session begins on January 3, 2023 and will determine the next two-year state budget.
Information about the MDA’s mission, leadership, and responsibilities is available on our website.