Four sessions throughout January offer learning opportunities Minnesota’s only statewide conference on organic agriculture is going virtual for 2021. The Minnesota Organic Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will take place every Thursday in January, beginning on January 7, 2021. Virtual sessions will begin at 3 p.m. and provide farmers … [Read more...]
A gift of ag safety
Safety tools are gifts with lifetime value Struggling to find a valuable gift for that farmer on your list? Don’t overlook the options for boosting safety practices with a gift such as high-quality work gloves, earmuffs to help prevent hearing damage or a warm chore coat. If budgets allow, retrofitting a tractor with a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) is a gift that can … [Read more...]
Free assistance for farmers in greater Minnesota
Farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in rural Minnesota are invited to apply to join the Harvest Entrepreneur Network (HEN), a free technical assistance program led by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA). Through HEN, CEDA’s professional staff will provide free, one-on-one coaching to help with everything from crafting business plans to writing grants to … [Read more...]
Silage bunkers and piles: know the dangers
Horizontal silo forage systems are economical and maintain high-quality forage at low cost. These benefits are maximized when producers and farm managers implement safety practices to reduce potential for tractor or truck rollovers, run-overs by or entanglement in machinery, falls from heights, crushing/engulfment due to collapsing silage or injury resulting from worker … [Read more...]
Grain handling safety: priceless practices
By UNMC, Central States - Center for Agricultural, Safety and Health, Omaha, NE Grain is valuable, but lives are worth much more In the process of handling grain, producers are exposed to a range of safety hazards both during harvest and once the grain is stored. Jess McCluer, vice-president of Safety and Regulatory Affairs at the National Grain and Feed Association (NFGA), … [Read more...]
Cost-share funds available for hog and turkey farmers for COVID-19-related losses
Farmers impacted by pandemic supply chain back-up may be eligible ST. PAUL, MN: Hog operations that were forced to depopulate hogs and turkey producers who marketed fewer liveweight pounds due to supply chain back-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for cost-share funds to recoup some of their losses. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Hog … [Read more...]
USDA grant funds agriculture marketing partnership MDA to partner with UMN to bolster local, regional markets
ST. PAUL, MN: A grant from the US Department of Agriculture will help the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partners at the University of Minnesota (UMN) engage farmers and agriculture businesses in marketing their products more effectively both locally and regionally. The USDA’s Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program awarded the MDA $235,169 to develop a … [Read more...]
Nathan Honsey, new GM at Preston Dairy and Farm
Nathan (Nate) Honsey took over the helm as the new general manager at the Preston Dairy and Farm Association on September 28, 2020. The Association has been in business since 1979 and currently has 16 employees and two locations – Preston and Canton. The independent farmer’s co-op governed by a board of directors is a full agronomy service providing farmers with seed for … [Read more...]
Know to grow: A webinar series for managing and marketing on small farms
University of MN Extension is hosting a five-part webinar series for small Minnesota farms. The series will focus on various aspects of marketing your farm and its products. The webinars will take place from 9-10 a.m. on the dates listed below: • November 17: Facebook Live - Grow your social media following through simple, authentic to your farm videos with very little … [Read more...]
November weed of the month: Norway maple
Colorful fall leaves have blown away, but hopefully you got a chance to enjoy the vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds of maple trees. Minnesota has six species of native maples, and some non-native species as well. You may be familiar with the lobed shape of a maple leaf, but on closer inspection each of these seven species’ leaves look a little different. Leaf shape is useful … [Read more...]