The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including weed management areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state. Grants for fiscal year 2022 will be funded up to $5,000. The awards are intended to support local projects.
Since 2018, the MDA Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant has awarded over $1 million to fund a variety of activities such as purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach activities, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds. One hundred nineteen projects were awarded averaging $9,000.
Review the request for proposals (RFP) and find the application on the MDA website. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on December 3, 2021. Questions can be directed to Emilie Justen, MDA Noxious Weed Law Coordinator, at Emilie.Justen@state.mn.us.
The grant program is funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
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MediaContact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Introduction to Farm Succession: A Train-the-Trainer Workshop
901 Raintree Road
Mankato, MN 56001
This free train-the-trainer workshop will address introductory concepts in farm transition and is open to professionals in education, government, or other related fields who work with farmers in succession planning. Topics will include basic strategies for succession; goal setting and family communication; and retirement, healthcare, and estate planning. Pre-registration by November 5 appreciated.
Instructors and guest speakers for the workshop are:
*Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Rural Mental Health Specialist, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
*Jim Molenaar, Farm Business Management Instructor, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
*Megan Roberts, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension
University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota State College and University System are proud to partner to offer farm transition education focused on multi-generation farm businesses. This work is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program Award No. 2021-70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Advanced Topics in Farm Succession: A Train-the-Trainer Workshop
1215 15th St N
St. Cloud, MN 56303
This free train-the-trainer workshop will address tough concepts in farm transition and is open to professionals in education, government, or other related fields who work with farmers in succession planning. In-person or virtual option available (pre-registration by October 29 appreciated).
Topics will include various options and strategies for transferring the farm, challenges posed by large farm dissolutions, tools to assist in farm transition, key factors in selecting and working with accountants and attorneys, new resources from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and others, farm family communication strategies, personal and family stressors during farm successions, and various case studies (addressing topics such as entity formation, non-farm owners, sales, and sweat equity valuation).
Instructors and Guest Speakers for the workshop are:
*Lee Hanson, Attorney, Hanson Law Office
*Jim Ostlie, Livestock Development Specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
*Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Rural Mental Health Specialist, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
*Jim Molenaar, Farm Business Management Instructor, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
*Megan Roberts, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension
University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota State College and University System are proud to partner to offer farm transition education focused on multi-generation farm businesses. This work is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program Award No. 2021-70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
A public-private partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation is offering grants to K-12 teachers, 4-H, and FFA groups in Minnesota to develop educational experiences around agriculture and food systems education.
A total of $5,000 in grants of up to $500 each are available to help students experience agriculture in a cross-curricular manner. Funded activities can include new ideas as well as enhancements to current curricula/activities.
Examples of eligible expenses include field trips to working farms or agriculture businesses, purchasing needed supplies, and supporting “Ag Day” events at schools.
Priority will be given to first-time applicants. All applications will be evaluated by a grant review committee of the MAITC Foundation.
Applications are due by Nov. 15, 2021. Apply and find more information on the MAITC website.
Established in 1985, MAITC is a partnership between the MDA and the MAITC Foundation that seeks to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
Many farmers and applicators will soon apply anhydrous ammonia (NH3) after harvest. Even with a rush against time and the weather, safety should never be compromised. Recent accidents involving anhydrous ammonia have proven how dangerous and deadly the chemical can be when not handled properly.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is providing the following tips to farmers and applicators so they can safely apply anhydrous ammonia.
- Always wear appropriate goggles and gloves. Never wear contact lenses.
- Be sure to have a clean, adequate emergency water supply of at least 5 gallons.
- Exercise caution when making connections and disconnections as if lines contain anhydrous ammonia.
- Stand upwind when connecting, disconnecting, bleeding lines, or transferring NH3. Also, close, bleed, disconnect, and secure valves and transfer lines when taking breaks or disconnecting lines, and be sure to handle hose end valves by the valve body.
- Position equipment away and downwind from homes, people, and livestock.
Safety is also key to those maintaining anhydrous ammonia equipment. Never assume NH3 lines are empty, always wear proper protective equipment, and have access to safety water.
When towing a nurse tank down the road, drive sensibly. Do not go any faster than 30 miles per hour, display a slow-moving vehicle (SVM) emblem visible from the rear, and be sure the tank is secured to the tractor or truck with two separate, independent chains that supplement the hitch pin/clip.
If an accident or spill occurs, immediately call 911 and then the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 or 651-649-5451.
You can find more safety, storage, and transportation information on the MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/nh3.
As a reminder, fall application of anhydrous ammonia should happen after average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler to help prevent nitrogen loss, protects water quality, and ensures more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.
Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Minnesota farm and farmland ownership transitions are predicted to increase substantially in the coming years. But figuring out what, how, and when to transfer a farm business to the next generation or a new owner, along with preparing for the unknown, is challenging and often tremendously stressful for farm families.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is providing support for two upcoming workshops that will train agricultural advisors to help families navigate a farm transfer process. University of Extension Agricultural Business Management Educator Megan Roberts and St. Cloud Community and Technical College Farm Business Management Instructor Jim Molenaar have designed and will lead both workshops.
Both sessions are free and open to any professional whose work overlaps with farm transition. The organizers encourage participants to select the level (introductory or advanced) that feels best for their current skill and comfort level with the topic. More information and registration are available at the following links:
Introductory Session: Topics in Farm Succession Train-the-Trainer Workshop
- In-person only
- Courtyard by Marriott – Mankato
- Wednesday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Register at z.umn.edu/Nov10farmtransition
Advanced Session: Topics in Farm Succession Train-the-Trainer Workshop
- St. Cloud Technical and Community College
- In-person and virtual options available.
- Tuesday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Register at z.umn.edu/Nov2farmtransition
Participants at in-person sessions will be required to follow COVID-19 protocols established by the venues for the sessions.
MDA support for these events comes from Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program award no. 2021-70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and is provided in coordination with the Southern Center of Agricultural Excellence and University of Minnesota Extension.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and 11 project partners $500,000 to advance work in farm stress and rural mental health in Minnesota.
The MDA’s “Bend, Don’t Break” initiative will build upon existing efforts to connect farmers and rural Minnesotans with resources to help reduce stress, anxiety, and crisis situations, such as the drought that is affecting many Minnesota farms and ranches. It will support, improve, and promote services, such as mental health counseling, farm advocates, marriage retreats, and a 24/7 Farm & Rural Helpline, and will expand a radio show and podcast series that profiles farmers who have navigated difficult situations.
“We know from working with farmers that suicide, farm transition and succession, legal problems, family relationships, and youth stress are crucial issues where we can all make a difference,” Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “We’re thankful that the USDA can help us expand our efforts.”
The initiative will also enhance the skills and responsiveness of professionals who work with farm families in stress through workshops, trainings, and other resources.
The MDA will partner with 11 organizations, including several that serve Indigenous or emerging/underserved farmers. Partners include:
- American Indian Community Housing Organization
- Big River Farms
- Farmers’ Legal Action Group
- Latino Economic Development Center
- Leech Lake Tribal College
- Minnesota Dairy Initiative
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Red River Farm Network
- South Central College
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Urban Farm & Garden Alliance
View the full list of NIFA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistant Network grant recipients.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Elk-Stored Crop Damage Prevention Grant is offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to help producers protec