The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed in 2020 six species of weeds on the state’s Noxious Weed Prohibited Eradicate List for the first time in nine counties.
Weeds categorized as Prohibited Eradicate are the worst types of weeds. The law requires species on this list to have all above- and below-ground plant parts destroyed because the weeds may be harmful to public health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, or other property.
Collaboration with multiple agencies and organizations throughout the state, including County Agricultural Inspectors, township supervisors, and city mayors, helps the MDA successfully detect noxious weeds on the eradicate list and confirm unrecognized species.
The new finds were:
Species |
County |
Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) |
Dakota and Olmsted |
Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) |
Martin |
Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalamtica) |
Cass |
Meadow knapweed (Cenaurea x moncktonii) |
Norman |
Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) |
Winona |
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) |
Steele, Watonwan, and Waseca |
Common and cutleaf teasels are closely related, short-lived perennials that have spiny, stiff flowers and seed heads; they prefer sunny, open habitats such as roadsides or pastures. Dalmatian toadflax is a perennial with yellow flowers that grows in sandy or gravelly soils. Meadow knapweed is a deep-rooted perennial with pink flowers that grows in sunny, wet conditions. Palmer amaranth is a high-profile noxious weed of row crops. Poison hemlock is a highly toxic plant that looks similar to wild carrot and grows in moist areas and along rights of way.
The MDA verifies the reports and, when possible, collects samples for the official University of Minnesota herbarium records. As the regulatory agency for managing noxious weeds, the MDA also helps local governments with weed management and enforcement of the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. The MDA provides training to the County Agriculture Inspectors (CAIs) while the CAIs enforce the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.
To report a noxious weed, contact the MDA’s Arrest the Pest line at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us or 1-888-545-6684.
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is excited to host the first-ever Minnesota Farm and Food Book Week, an opportunity for classrooms across Minnesota to see and hear virtual agriculture-themed book readings by special guest readers, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Classrooms can join online at multiple times Tuesday, February 16 – Friday, February 19, 2021, as readers present stories throughout each day related to farming and food.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing Click, Clack, Moo which is a big favorite around our house,” Flanagan said. “Reading to our children is one of the best ways to help develop literacy skills and instill a love of reading. Books like these are great to help students understand more about the important role agriculture plays in our lives and our connection to the land.”
Guest readers will also include:
- Patrice Bailey, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner
- Heather Brown, WCCO Morning News Anchor
- Cael Carlson, U of M Golden Gopher Wrestler
- Brenna Connelly, Princess Kay of the Milky Way
- CJ Ham, Minnesota Vikings Player
- Stephanie Johnson, Executive Director: Twins Community Fund
- Tracy Maurer, Minnesota Author
- Thom Petersen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner
- Amanda Radke, Author
- Jasmine Stringer, Speaker
- John Thomas, Vice President of Basketball Development: Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx
- Jaycie Thomsen, U of M Golden Gopher Cross Country and Track Athlete
- Carrie Tollefson, Olympic Runner
- Michelle Weber, Minnesota Author and Illustrator
- Emilee Xayanourom, MN FFA Vice President
Classrooms that attend will be entered to win one of five book bundles from the MAITC Foundation worth $200 each.
To register and for more information about the lineup, including times and books, visit the MAITC website.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) has reached the milestone of enrolling 1,000 farmers and landowners from across the state. Now, more than 715,000 acres of land are helping to protect the state’s water resources.
“Water quality is important to all Minnesotans, especially those that care for the land, and we want to thank everyone that has stepped up to protect and restore our state’s lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater through the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We can be assured these certified farmers are managing their operations to protect water quality now and into the future.”
The MAWQCP puts farmers in touch with local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate any risks their farm poses to water quality. Producers going through the certification process have priority access to financial assistance. After being certified, each farm is deemed in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years.
Since the start of the program in 2014, the Ag Water Quality Certification Program has:
- Added more than 2,050 new conservation practices
- Kept near 38,500 tons of sediment out of Minnesota rivers
- Saved 110,000 tons of soil and 48,500 pounds of phosphorous on farms
- Reduced nitrogen losses by up to 49 percent
- Reduced the equivalent of over 39,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year
There are also extra endorsements available to water quality certified producers for soil health, integrated pest management, and wildlife. These endorsements celebrate farmers and landowners who are going above and beyond to implement conservation efforts on their land.
The program is on target to meet Governor Tim Walz’s goal of enrolling one million acres by the end of 2022.
Farmers and landowners interested in becoming water quality certified can contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District or visit MyLandMyLegacy.com.
About the 1,000 Certified Farmers and Landowners
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is recognizing five farmers from across the state that pushed the program to the 1,000-enrollee milestone.
Martin Berg – Aitkin County
Martin Berg has 119 acres of pasture and operates the only remaining dairy in Aitkin County. Berg has a prescribed grazing plan and is very interested in using regenerative agriculture practices to leverage government funds to provide local products to food deserts. Berg is also an academic with education in livestock genetics. He and his wife have done genetic research in the U.S. and New Zealand.
“I am working to incorporate regenerative agriculture practices on my farm and becoming water quality certified aligns with my goals and has provided me with valuable technical assistance.” – Martin Berg
Ron Frank – Mower County
Ron Frank farms 566 acres and practices no-till and strip-till and has advanced nutrient management. With funding assistance from a MAWQCP supplemental grant, Frank will be installing two new grassed waterways. He also has plans to try cover crops. Ron Frank cares about supporting the next generation of farmers and works closely with his nephew. He is also invested in his community and is active with the Minnesota Farm Bureau, various county committees, the local Lions Club, and local government.
“One of the reasons I became certified is to reinforce our ongoing effort to improve and maintain water and soil quality for future generations. This has always been a focus, even when my dad farmed the land.” – Ron Frank
The Possails - Lincoln and Lyon counties
Duane and Doug Possail and their nephew farm 2,430 combined acres of corn and soybeans, though each farm is their own entity. The Possails are beginning to implement no-till and cover crops on some acres through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Through certification, they agreed to reduce tillage on several fields, reduce phosphorus rates, use a nitrogen stabilizer with fall applications, implement critical area plantings, and close open tile intakes.
“Possail Farms has worked diligently with our local Soil and Water District in Lincoln County for generations to do what we can to improve our land by creating berms, waterways, windbreaks, buffer strips, CRP, and cover crops. We chose to participate in the Water Quality Certification Program because we strongly believe that it is our duty, as landowners, to preserve our land and to improve our environment. Our goal is to invest time, energy, and resources into our land to make it better for the future of agriculture.” – Duane Possail
(Pictured: Duane and Doug Possail)
Todd Stencel – Waseca County
Stencel Farms, Inc. operates 1,023 acres of corn and soybeans in a ridge-till system. Todd Stencel also practices advanced nutrient management for both nitrogen and phosphorus. Through certification, he agreed to mulch tillage (greater than 30% residue after planting) and closed several open tile intakes. Stencel is also a Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District board member and a Farm Business Management instructor at South Central College.
“Being water quality certified will give me access to new cost share opportunities on my farm.” – Todd Stencel
Greg and Rebecca Symanietz – Stearns County
Greg and Rebecca Symanietz farm 135 acres of owned and rented cropland including corn, soybeans, and alfalfa with an oats nurse crop. They also operate a 40 cow/calf pair beef herd. Greg Symanietz recently made improvements to his grazing system by adding fencing, an armored cattle lane, and a watering system with a heavy use area protection surrounding it. These practices will allow him to rotationally graze his cattle on over 60 acres of pasture, as well as improve his pasture’s productivity, herd health, and protect sensitive areas. He is also planning to plant a winter cereal rye cover crop on his corn and soybean acres to improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, and improve water quality.
“I got started with the program because I knew I wanted to make changes for my farming goals. The program has given me good feedback and information while allowing me to make small slow adjustments over time.” – Greg Symanietz
(Pictured: Greg Symanietz and his son Charlie Symanietz)
About the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. The program is available to farmers and landowners statewide.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has extended the application deadline for the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) as a result of the addition of federal COVID-19 relief funds to the program.
The MDA expects to award a total of roughly $2.9 million in funding for the grant program, including about $1.65 million in one-time funding for COVID-19 relief.
As a result, the application deadline has been extended to March 16, 2021, and the maximum amount applicants may request has been increased to $150,000 from $100,000. The minimum amount remains $20,000.
The grant program aims to boost the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Minnesota through marketing and promotion, research and development, expanding availability and access, and addressing challenges confronting producers.
The eligibility criteria are expected to remain the same for both sources of funding. However, priority for COVID-19 relief funding is expected to be granted to projects designed to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on specialty crop producers, industries, and the food supply chain.
A revised RFP is available on the 2021 SCBG applications page. Questions may be directed by email to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us or by calling the MDA Grants Line at 651-201-6500.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
2021 S/FMNP Vendor Training (English)
This training is for farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables, sell them at farmers markets, and want to become an Authorized Vendor for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as S/FMNP).
Register for this S/FMNP Vendor Training at least 24 hours in advance so we can send you information on how to use WebEx and login to the training.
2021 S/FMNP Vendor Training (English)
This training is for farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables, sell them at farmers markets, and want to become an Authorized Vendor for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as S/FMNP).
Register for this S/FMNP Vendor Training at least 24 hours in advance so we can send you information on how to use WebEx and login to the training.
2021 S/FMNP Vendor Training (English & Hmong)
This training is for farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables, sell them at farmers markets, and want to become an Authorized Vendor for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as S/FMNP).
This session will be presented in English and translated into Hmong. English and Hmong speakers are welcome to join.
Register for this S/FMNP Vendor Training at least 24 hours in advance so we can send you information on how to use WebEx and login to the training.
Drinking water standards and well water testing results can be hard to understand if they are new to you.
2021 S/FMNP Vendor Training (English & Hmong)
This training is for farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables, sell them at farmers markets, and want to become an Authorized Vendor for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as S/FMNP).
This session will be presented in English and translated into Hmong. English and Hmong speakers are welcome to join.
Register for this S/FMNP Vendor Training at least 24 hours in advance so we can send you information on how to use WebEx and login to the training.