The goal of the state is to prevent nitrate from entering groundwater.
Seed Program Advisory Committee Meeting
1900 County Road 1 West
Room AH10
Shoreview, MN 55126
In person and virtual meeting of the Seed Advisory Committee.
For more information email seed.mda@state.mn.us
Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2024. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required for individuals and businesses.
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, and a license is valid for the 2024 calendar year.
The application can be found on the MDA website. Along with the online form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only. The hemp grower or processor application is not for the growth or sale of adult-use or medical cannabis. The application is also not intended for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Adult-use cannabis information can be found on the Office of Cannabis Management website. Information related to medical cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoid products can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Growers and processors need to be aware of the following for 2024:
- All authorized representatives designated by the applicant must pass a criminal history background check prior to the issuance of a license.
- Every lot of hemp grown requires pre-harvest THC regulatory testing. Each official regulatory sample collected by the MDA will cost $100.
- The MDA licenses processors that handle raw hemp and initially process it by extraction, decortication, devitalization, crushing or packaging, and the department will continue random inspections of processor locations.
- License fees will remain the same. The minimum cost of a grower license is $400. A processing license is a minimum of $500.
While the deadline to apply or renew is April 30, 2024, those actively growing hemp plants indoors past December 31, 2023, must renew their license before expiration at the end of the year.
Questions about the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Program should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6600.
Background
Industrial hemp and marijuana are both types of the same plant, Cannabis sativa. They differ by the concentration level of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) within the plant. Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, and levels above that are considered marijuana.
Minnesota operated under a hemp pilot program from 2016-2020. In 2021, the program began operating under a new, federally approved state plan that governs production and regulation.
Licensing and Acreage | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Approved Applicants | 7 | 47 | 65 | 505 | 542 | 425 | 293 | 285 |
Licensed Growers | 6 | 33 | 43 | 350 | 461 | 348 | 245 | 229 |
Licensed Processors – Processing Only | 0 | 5 | 8 | 49 | 77 | 77 | 56 | 56 |
Outdoor Acres Planted | 38 | 1,202 | 709 | 7,353 | 5,808 | 2,830 | 489 | 887 |
Indoor Square Feet Planted | 0 | 0 | 54,618 | 40,304 | 1,460,328 | 318,713 | 366,026 | 63,286 |
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
Seven Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA).
This year’s winners include:
- Northwest: Hugo's Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks
- Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
- West Central: Elden’s Fresh Foods, Alexandria
- Southwest: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia
- Southeast: Nilssen’s Foods, Zumbrota
- Twin Cities: Kowalski’s Markets, Grand Avenue
- People’s Choice: Festival Foods, Hugo
“We commend these seven grocers for their creative efforts to promote fresh, local foods from Minnesota Grown members,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “When consumers have the chance to eat more foods grown and produced by their neighbors, it benefits Minnesota’s farmers, grocers, and communities.”
MDA and MGA staff will be presenting the awards in-person at an MGA spring event. Each winner will receive a commemorative plaque, exclusive rights to use the “Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year 2024” logo in their ads and displays, as well as recognition amongst retailers and consumers that they are champions of all things local.
Judging was based on several factors, including the number of Minnesota Grown products featured and the number of Minnesota Grown farmers and producers that the grocer sourced from. Judges also looked at how the grocer used ads, displays, social media, and other events to promote Minnesota Grown items to customers.
“Grocers are the foundation of the communities they serve and are incredibly proud of their innovative local partnerships from farm to fork,” said MGA President Jamie Pfuhl. “The success of the Minnesota Grown program is driven by the exceptional efforts of all in the food industry. We are proud to play a role in this collective effort that showcases and celebrates innovative partnerships and brings wonderful local products to our customers.”
The contest to select the 2025 winners will open in August of 2024. Information about how to participate can be found on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.
The Minnesota Grown Program is a statewide partnership between the MDA and Minnesota producers of specialty crops and livestock. It was created over 35 years ago by specialty crop growers to differentiate their produce from produce grown elsewhere.
The Minnesota Grocers Association is the only state trade association that represents the food industry of Minnesota from farm to fork. It has served the industry for over 125 years, with over 300 retail, manufacturer, and wholesale members supporting nearly 1,300 locations statewide. MGA member companies employ over 150,000 union and non-union Minnesotans. It actively advances the common interest of all those engaged in any aspect of the food industry as a leader and advocate in government affairs.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Unique Foods Processed at Retail
Some food processes have additional risks to consider that can be easily overlo
Certified Food Protection Manager
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Current Good M