New: Update on Cyanazine Monitoring
February 6, 2023
The Minnesota Senate today reconfirmed Thom Petersen as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The vote was 63-0. This marks the second term for Petersen, who was first appointed in 2019 by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to serve as Agriculture Commissioner.
“Thom Petersen understands how policy directly affects farmers’ daily lives,” said Gov. Walz. “I look forward to continuing our work to support our farmers – from new farmers to the leaders of food and ag companies – while ensuring Minnesota remains a global leader in food and agriculture.”
“From supporting emerging farmers to helping communities recover from drought, I’m proud to work alongside Commissioner Petersen to listen to our farmers and invest in the future of agriculture right here in Minnesota,” said Lt. Gov. Flanagan.
“It has been an honor to serve as commissioner these past four years, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan, and all the dedicated MDA employees to strengthen and improve our ag economy,” said Commissioner Petersen. “Agriculture drives and shapes Minnesota, and I’m proud to represent our farmers, producers, and food makers in the four years to come.”
Before being appointed Commissioner, Petersen served as the Director of Government Relations for Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) from 2002 to 2019, working on behalf of MFU’s farmer-members in both Washington, D.C., and St. Paul.
Commissioner Petersen is a long-time resident of Royalton Township near Pine City. He and his wife, Alana, have two sons. The Petersens show horses around the state and have competed at the Minnesota State Fair for over 25 years.
Photo of Commissioner Petersen
The MDA’s mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy. The MDA has served the state for more than 125 years and the work of the department touches every Minnesota citizen every day. Learn more at www.mda.state.mn.us.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
SafeTALK for Ag
Starts:
Wed, 06/14/2023 - 8:30 am
Ends:
Wed, 06/14/2023 - 12:00 pm
Location:
Glencoe City Center1107 11th St E
Glencoe, MN 55336
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Details:
The 4-hour safeTALK course teaches important skills: how to recognize someone having thoughts of suicide, how to engage them, and how to connect them to effective help. It is a powerful, evidence-based program that saves lives.
This session is offered as part of 2B CONTINUED's Training Day for professionals and community members to learn more about suicide prevention and mental health. Find out more about 2B CONTINUED at www.2bcontinued.org.
March 2, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Clay County for the first time. There are now 39 counties in the state, including Clay, with EAB.
A Moorhead city forester found evidence of EAB while pruning trees. The tree had visible woodpecker damage and when the bark was peeled back galleries and insect larvae were present. MDA staff collected the suspected EAB larvae samples. Federal identification confirmed emerald ash borer.
EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.
Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Clay County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of the western portion of the county, from State Highway 9 west to the North Dakota border, which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.
In addition to this being the first EAB find in Clay County, this is also the first EAB find in northwestern Minnesota. The detection is unfortunate but not unexpected, given the location is near a highly traveled corridor in the state. The public can help limit the spread of this harmful forest pest by not moving firewood and reporting any suspected infestations via the MDA’s Report a Pest service.
The MDA issues quarantines for all areas known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.
A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals in Clay County will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.
Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
Thursday, March 16, 2023
10-11 a.m.
Register here
The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Clay County’s emergency quarantine to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantine now through April 14, 2023, and recommends adopting the quarantine on April 17, 2023. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.
Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:
Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Kimberly.TCremers@state.mn.us
There is more EAB information on the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
