September 13, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Emerging Farmers’ Working Group (EFWG) has openings for nine volunteer members for two-year terms. Minnesotans interested in making it easier for new and emerging farmers to create or sustain an agricultural business are encouraged to apply today.
“The work of the Emerging Farmers’ Working Group is critically important in helping identify barriers to entering the field of agriculture and creating resources to support new and emerging farmers in our state,” said Assistant MDA Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “It will become even more so in the coming years, as we staff up our Emerging Farmers Office and build out the MDA’s emerging farmers programs.”
Everyone is welcome to apply. The MDA is particularly interested in the following perspectives:
- Women
- Veterans
- Persons with a disability/disabilities
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Member of a community of color
- LGBTQIA+
- Young (35 years old and under)
- Urban (reside in cities with 5k+ population)
The deadline to apply for EFWG membership is at noon on October 1, 2024. The MDA website has the membership application and more information on the EFWG page. Email your questions to the Emerging Farmer Office at mda.emerging.farmers@state.mn.us.
Thank you to our current and departing members for your participation.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
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Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) audits and certifications help growers and handlers im
The MDA is responsible for regulating pesticide, fertilizer, soil and plant amendment, and agricultural liming products with intentionally added PFAS. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is responsible for regulating all other products with intentionally added PFAS.
Which agencies are involved in PFAS regulation?
The MDA is responsible for regulating pesticide, fertilizer, soil and plant amendment, and agricultural liming products with intentionally added PFAS. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is responsible for regulating all other products with intentionally added PFAS.
According to the new legislation: Unless the commissioner of Agriculture determines that the use of intentionally added PFAS is a "currently unavoidable use" the MDA is directed to:
- not register a cleaning product that contains intentionally added PFAS beginning January 1, 2026; and
- not register any pesticide product, fertilizer, soil and plant amendment, or agricultural liming product that contains intentionally added PFAS beginning January 1, 2032.
When will pesticide, fertilizer, soil and plant amendment, and agricultural liming products with intentionally added PFAS be cancelled in Minnesota?
According to the new legislation: Unless the commissioner of Agriculture determines that the use of intentionally added PFAS is a "currently unavoidable use" the MDA is directed to:
- not register a cleaning product that contains intentionally added PFAS beginning January 1, 2026; and
- not register any pesticide product, fertilizer, soil and plant amendment, or agricultural liming product that contains intentionally added PFAS beginning January 1, 2032.
