The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued updated maps that will help farmers across the state comply with the Groundwater Protection Rule. The rule restricts fall application of nitrogen fertilizer in areas vulnerable to contamination and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of contamination in areas where nitrate is already elevated in public water supply wells. An updated map of public water supply wells with elevated nitrate levels can be found here on the MDA’s webpage.
The MDA has also made changes to the Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions map which is also viewable on the MDA website. The restriction of fall application on these acres will begin September 1, 2022. Farmers are encouraged to check the new maps prior to the fall of 2022 to determine if their fields are subject to these restrictions.
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Media Contact
Margaret Hart, MDA Communications
651-592-6908
Margaret.Hart@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reminding consumers that it is illegal to bring bushmeat into the U.S. for sale or consumption. Bushmeat is raw or minimally processed meat that comes from wild animals, such as cane rats, monkeys and other nonhuman primates, and bats. It poses a potential risk of human infection, including the Ebola virus. Bushmeat is often smoked, dried, or salted. These processes are not sufficient to kill viruses and other pathogens. U.S. customs agents reported multiple instances of bushmeat being smuggled from Liberia into Minnesota in December at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The products were seized and destroyed.
There is a $250,000 fine for bringing bushmeat into the United States and the product, in any amount, found at U.S. ports of entry will be destroyed along with any personal items that may have come in contact with the bushmeat.
To report information about sales of bushmeat in Minnesota or the suspected smuggling of bushmeat into Minnesota or the U.S., call the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Anti-smuggling Hotline at 301-734-8534. More information on the illegal importation of bushmeat is available from the CDC.
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Media Contact
Margaret Hart, MDA Communications
651-592-6908 / margaret.hart@state.mn.us
Clean Fuel Standard Virtual Public Session
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a public session to explore ways to reduce the impacts of climate change through a Minnesota Clean Fuel Standard (CFS).
In October 2021, the Walz administration directed state agencies to determine if and how Minnesota should move forward with a CFS.
MnDOT and the MDA are engaging stakeholders and listening to the public as a key part of that process. The state’s goals through this process including identifying action steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, create new jobs, attract new economic investments, and reduce air and water pollution in both urban and rural communities.
For more information about a Clean Fuel Standard and links to access the public meetings, visit MnDOT’s website.
MnDOT Contact: Julie Bartkey
Cell: 612-263-2019
Julie.Bartkey@state.mn.us
Principal Investigator: Daniel Kaiser
Minnesota farmers who want to improve safety on their farms can now apply for funding through two programs from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) that help with the cost of buying, shipping, and installing eligible safety equipment.
“There’s very little that can comfort a family who has lost someone due to a preventable accident on the farm,” Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “Fortunately, small safety improvements can prevent that from being necessary, and we’re grateful to offer support so farmers can make those changes.”
Now in its second year, the Grain Storage Facility Safety Cost-Share program reimburses up to 75% of the cost to buy, ship, and install eligible safety equipment for on-farm grain bins or silos. The program will pay up to $400 per bin or silo, with a limit of $2,400 per farm per year. The first year of the program reimbursed 91 farmers an average of $831 to install guardrails, platforms, auger shields, safety harnesses, and more.
For more information and to apply, visit the MDA’s Grain Storage Facility Safety Cost-Share webpage.
The Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) Rebate Program makes tractor safety equipment affordable and simple to order. Minnesota’s program reimburses farmers and schools at least 70% of the cost to purchase, ship, and install a rollover protection kit, limiting the cost to no more than $500 per tractor. The National ROPS Rebate Program (NRRP) works with farmers to identify and price the appropriate rollover protection kits for their tractors.
For more information and to apply, visit the MDA’s ROPS Rebate Program webpage.
Both programs are accepting applications through June 30, 2022, or until all funds are exhausted. Funding for these programs comes from the Minnesota Legislature and private donations.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Principal Investigator: Jacques Finlay
On August 11, 2021, Legend Technical Services, the lab the MDA contracts with to perform MDA’s regu
Farm Couple Retreat - Faribault
Farm Couple Retreats allow couples to get away from everyday farm work and focus on a farm or family issue, set goals, and seek ways to attain those goals. The retreats include networking with other farming couples, short lectures, group activities, and partner exercises.
Instructors for the retreats include Monica Kramer McConkey, Emily Krekelberg, Jim Salfer, and Leah Bischof.
Registration is limited to the first 10 farming couples that register. There are three sessions in 2022: January 21-22 in Faribault, February 4-5 in St. Cloud, and February 11-12 in Thief River Falls.
This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (award number 2021-70035-35461). Project partners are the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and University of Minnesota Extension.
Farm Couple Retreat - St. Cloud
Farm Couple Retreats allow couples to get away from everyday farm work and focus on a farm or family issue, set goals, and seek ways to attain those goals. The retreats include networking with other farming couples, short lectures, group activities, and partner exercises.
Instructors for the retreats include Monica Kramer McConkey, Emily Krekelberg, Jim Salfer, and Leah Bischof.
Registration is limited to the first 10 farming couples that register. There are three sessions in 2022: January 21-22 in Faribault, February 4-5 in St. Cloud, and February 11-12 in Thief River Falls.
This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (award number 2021-70035-35461). Project partners are the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and University of Minnesota Extension.