$19 MILLION: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota, drivers collectively saved over $19 million in 2025 by filling up with homegrown E15 (Unleaded 88). We join Iowa Corn in urging the E15 Rural Energy Council to take action.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4qNUe3Y (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
DC + AG
RULING: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “The Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump lacked the authority he cited to impose some of his sweeping tariffs. The court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. The ruling was published on Friday, Feb. 20. Trump has used IEEPA for some but not all the tariffs he imposed since he took office. It was an unprecedented use of the statute.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZNuZUl
REACTION:
Via Farm Bureau, from President Zippy Duvall, QUOTE: “In light of today’s Supreme Court ruling, we urge the administration to work swiftly to find other ways to resolve trade disputes and finalize recently announced trade frameworks. With supply costs already at or near record highs, we strongly encourage the president to avoid using any other available authorities to impose tariffs on agricultural inputs that would further increase costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46fakwe
Via National Farmers Union, from President Rob Larew, QUOTE: “Over the past year, tariffs have raised input costs, disrupted export markets and triggered retaliation against U.S. agricultural goods. In an already fragile farm economy, uncertainty has hit family operations hardest. We urge the administration not to pursue similar tariffs under other authorities, and we call on Congress to exercise its oversight role to ensure trade policy supports—not undermines—America’s family farmers and ranchers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Or6v0U
MORE: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Mr. Trump called the court’s decision ‘disappointing’ and criticized the justices who ruled against him. ‘They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution,’ Mr. Trump said, after saying he was ‘ashamed of certain members of the court.’ He also accused the justices of being swayed by foreign interests and unnamed ‘slimeballs,’ but he did not elaborate. Mr. Trump told reporters that he would be signing orders to restore tariffs using other authorities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kJW5VX
MNLEG: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Corn Growers Association will defend its ability to utilize farm drainage during the legislative session. MCGA president Wes Beck says environmental advocacy organizations have pushed to have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency bypass statutory authority to regulate ag drainage systems in the state.” BECK: “Defending our rights to continue to drain our farmlands appropriately, that’s probably one of the biggest production factors and efficiencies going forward. Probably also meeting the most resistance from a regulatory standpoint.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cEljDa
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
IMMIGRATION: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “DFL lawmakers in the House and Senate pressed Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen to share how ICE operations in the state have impacted the agriculture industry on Wednesday, Feb. 18, during the first ag committees of the 2026 legislative session. First in the House and then later in the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development committee, DFL members from the Twin Cities metro area wanted to hear more . . . Petersen responded that he is feeling better this week than the previous week, after it was announced that the surge of immigration enforcement officers would be winding down.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OCjWLg
PAYMENTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period opens Feb. 23 and closes April 17, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cA3l4M
MONEY MATTERS
AG OUTLOOK: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For the first time in several years, the heavy cloud of skyrocketing production costs is beginning to lift, according to USDA chief economist Justin Benavidez. Speaking at USDA’s 102nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum on Thursday, Benavidez unveiled a 2026 forecast that suggests ‘progress is being made,’ even as the row-crop sector navigates a significant transition in acreage and a shifting policy landscape. After his outlook, Farm Journal had the chance to speak one-on-one with the new USDA chief economist. When asked his biggest takeaway from the outlook on the ag economy, he was positive about progress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MHiGpI
SNAP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The newly expanded SNAP work requirements and the elimination of several exemptions are a part of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passed by Republicans in Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in July. In addition to increasing the age for able bodied adults to work from 54 to 64, the law eliminates exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, young adults aging out of foster care, and parents and caregivers with children between the ages of 14 and 18 . . . Recipients who’s don’t meet the work requirements now have until April 1 to do so. If they don’t, they’ll be ineligible to reapply for SNAP benefits until 2029.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s5TRCY
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Sam Hudson with Corn Belt Marketing says the wheat and soybean market continue to see fund buying, but corn can’t follow. Corn is repeating the same trend it exhibited last year at this time.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4tJMOBq
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor, based on data collected ahead of this week’s massive snowfall along the North Shore, shows a slight increase in the amount of the state in formal drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
HOLDINGFORD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “For more than a century, the Holdingford Mill has been a draw for the small Stearns County town of Holdingford and a resource for small start-up farms. ‘It brings people to town, and that brings them to three, four different businesses,’ said owner Jeff Burg, who’s worked at the mill for the last 41 years, and bought it with his wife a decade ago. ‘It’s a hub.’ But on Feb. 15, a massive fire razed the mill, leaving only a warehouse still standing — and the community trying to figure out how to fill the void.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZNBC9a
FOOD NEWS
PROTEIN: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “While global protein demand is growing at roughly 2% annually, livestock producers must navigate a complex landscape of regional shifts, disease risks and policy battles that will define the next decade of production. ‘The Global Protein Outlook: Demand, Trade and the Supply Picture’ panel discussion during this year’s Top Producer Summit brought together experts from the beef, dairy and pork industries to explore demand, trade dynamics and risks facing the livestock industry today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qMlTCc
LAB-GROWN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A bill that would ban the sale and manufacturing of lab-grown protein in Oklahoma is making its way through the state legislature. Scott Blubaugh is the president of American Farmers & Ranchers and the Oklahoma Farmers Union. He tells Brownfield the measure recently passed out of the Senate Ag and Wildlife Committee . . . Blubaugh says one of the reasons this is so concerning for producers is because the big four meatpackers are investing in the technology.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aDzOEI
GREENHOUSES: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Growing media play a central role in greenhouse production, and some products on the market now include ingredients or claims that bring them under pesticide regulation. Understanding when a growing media product is considered a pesticide helps producers stay compliant, protect workers, and avoid unintentional violations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46fdG2i
FOOD BUY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MVlGyP
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Farm to Food Security Grant program. Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025, the program is modeled after the former federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and supports local farmers and producers by funding projects that purchase local food and distribute it to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rZjIw9
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FFA: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota FFA Foundation – which supports the state’s FFA organization through scholarships, teacher preparation, youth leadership, state convention and other special projects – is kicking off planning for Minnesota FFA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2029. And it needs your help. As part of the celebration, the Foundation is gathering unique FFA stories from across the state that could potentially be shared on a larger platform such as in videos, books or recorded for historical reference.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4714IFU
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