GROUNDWATER RULE: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) provides a strong, targeted framework for limiting nitrate-nitrogen impacts from commercial fertilizer to groundwater. The rule emphasizes local collaboration, adoption of best management practices (BMPs), and includes meaningful escalatory steps when nitrate-nitrogen levels are elevated. Because groundwater moves slowly through aquifers, near-term nitrate monitoring observations often reflect historical conditions. As a result, the rule should be evaluated over its full implementation cycle, and additional restrictions are unnecessary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NMd8e6 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
THE ECONOMICS OF FARMING
REPORT: Via Feeding the Economy, VERBATIM: “Today, 35 food and agriculture groups released the 10th annual Feeding the Economy report, a farm-to-fork study of the entire agricultural supply chain. The report analyzes the direct and indirect economic contributions of one of America’s most essential industries to U.S. jobs, wages, economic output, and taxes. The 2026 report confirms that America’s food and agriculture industries remain a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, generating more than $10.4 trillion in economic value—representing nearly 20% of the overall national economy. This marks an increase of nearly $894 billion year-over-year, reflecting growth across the agricultural value chain amid ongoing inflation pressures, a challenging farm economy, and an uncertain global trade environment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40PXqBE
MORE: Via Feeding the Economy, from the report:
FULL REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3PIG7Qu
SYRUP: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, hundreds of Minnesotans drove to the Arboretum in Chaska for its annual Maple Fest, where educators and volunteers demonstrated how maple sap is collected, processed, and transformed into syrup. The U also showcased a rare variety of syrup its employees have researched since 2023: black walnut syrup. The research, funded through grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, looked at black walnuts as an alternative to maple trees for tapping while working to understand the market potential of black walnut syrup.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d5EUfV
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Grains markets were slightly higher on Wednesday morning despite a pull back in the crude oil market on news the U.S. and Iran were working on a one month cease fire as the U.S. is reportedly constructing a 15-point peace plan for Iran to consider. Jamie Gieseke with Paradigm Futures says the crude oil market fell with the news as it is still chasing headlines.” GIESEKE: “We’re getting information coming from the powers that be and saying, you know, we’ve declared victory or we’re doing a ceasefire. And then on the other side, we’ll see something about, you know, there’s been no talk of a ceasefire. So we’re getting conflicting messages there. But what we’re also dealing with is an actual physical market, right? What does it take to purchase a barrel of oil?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lOMldP
FERTILIZER: Via Minnetonka-based Pivot Bio, VERBATIM: “As fertilizer markets continue to be pressured, Pivot Bio today announced it is continuing to increase its U.S.-based production while maintaining reduced prices to support American growers as spring planting begins, particularly across the southern regions where the season is already underway. The company moved quickly following the start of the conflict to lower prices and expand production, ensuring farmers have access to a reliable, cost-effective nitrogen source at a time when input costs are rising and supply remains uncertain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bQjDog
FARM BILL: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “The House and Senate Agriculture Committees are working on passing a ‘skinny’ farm bill alongside $15 billion in farm aid. On the Senate side, Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman says he expects work on the farm bill to begin within weeks, rather than months. The House version of the bill is gaining momentum after successfully passing out of the House Agriculture Committee. Chairman G.T. Thompson says the bill will not be ready for a full House vote in time for the White House Celebration of Ag.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dIUL4c
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Independent restaurant owners and chefs are encouraging lawmakers to pass a farm bill that addresses environmental and economic risks facing producers. Anne McBride of the James Beard Foundation tells Brownfield the restaurant industry depends on strong supply chains and the farmers behind them.” MCBRIDE: “When there are droughts, floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes in the Midwest that decimate what farmers are growing, when there’s an early frost—it limits the access to ingredients, and it increases the price of those ingredients.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rYxxdL
CRITICAL MARKETS FOR MINNESOTA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corn, ethanol, and dried distillers grains (DDG) to Canada and Mexico each year. Those exports support consumers in those countries and account for thousands of Minnesota jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association supports a full renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade agreement that modernized North American agricultural trade.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
FARM PEOPLE
WORKFORCE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Do farms actually have the workers they need? Some groups say yes, pointing to migrant worker programs already in place. Others say immigration crackdowns could leave some farms short-handed. ‘Certainly we’ve heard some concerns but, realistically, we haven’t seen any firsthand examples of those concerns coming to fruition,’ said Dan Glessing, president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF). Glessing said he’s talked to MFBF members who use the H-2A program which helps fill seasonal and temporary jobs by hiring workers from other countries.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/482o3af
STRIKE: Via Teamsters Local 471, VERBATIM: “Members of Teamsters Local 471 at AMPI Dairy in Paynesville, Minn., have overwhelmingly ratified a strong first contract after being forced to strike over fair wages, benefits, and job protections.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41uaGvS
ASSISTANCE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Minnesota dairy producers impacted by a blizzard earlier this month could be eligible for disaster recovery assistance. Minnesota Farm Service Agency state executive director Kurt Blomgren says the winter storm March 14th affected livestock health, feed supplies, transportation, and daily milk production.” BLOMGREN: “If your milk could not get picked up on the farm like it traditionally would, you maybe had to dump milk because you didn’t have storage, visit your local FSA service center and there most likely would be some programs that would fit the loss so you could be indemnified.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4szlYes
GRANDIN: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In 1988, in the wake of the era’s farm crisis, a group of farmers in Minnesota organized the Sustainable Farming Association with a mission of ‘transforming agriculture one farm at a time.’ Around that time, Temple Grandin was finishing her doctoral work in animal science at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Their unique approaches to agriculture connected earlier this month when Grandin — known for her innovative work with livestock as well as the autism she experienced that led her to unconventional thinking about farming — headlined SFA’s Midwest Soil Health and Grazing Summit in Willmar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O2gRnQ
NEXTGEN: Via Compeer, VERBATIM: “Compeer Financial selected 105 high school seniors from 447 eligible applicants to receive a scholarship worth $2,000 toward the pursuit of a degree related to agriculture. The competitive scholarship program through Compeer Giving was available to graduating high school seniors in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with 35 recipients selected from each state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4syI3tm
ST PAUL: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “More than 180 farmers and ranchers representing 48 counties across Minnesota gathered at the State Capitol on March 24 for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s (MFBF) annual Day on the Hill, a signature advocacy event that highlights agriculture’s essential role in Minnesota. Participants began the day with a policy briefing before gathering on the Capitol steps to hear from state leaders including Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Senator Aric Putnam, Representatives Paul Anderson and Rick Hansen, and MFBF President Dan Glessing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rSYIqk
AG DAY: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Happy National Agriculture Day! Great to have hundreds of farmers at the State Capitol today with Farm Bureau, and present declaration by Governor Walz declaring today National Ag Day in Minnesota!” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/40PAYbT
MORE: Via New Ulm Journal, VERBATIM: “Horses, tractors and dozens of farm vehicles traveled down Minnesota Tuesday as part of the annual Farm City Hub Club Ag Day Parade.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PG3c6n
AG RESOURCES
COLD SOIL: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “When the calendar says it’s still a little early for soybeans but field conditions are just right, growers face this increasingly common dilemma: plant and risk the outcome in cold, tough soils—or wait and risk missing the best window. More farmers are deciding to go early. As they do, seed treatments and inoculants are playing a bigger role in helping growers manage the risks, reports Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, based in south-central Michigan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4syfUCT
CHEESE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is making strides as a leading producer of cheese. State Senator Rob Kupec says U.S. export potential bodes well for the nation’s sixth-largest cheese producer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ro3wP
LABEL: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Today, on National Agriculture Day, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the launch of a national public awareness campaign to inform meat, poultry, and egg producers of the ‘Product of USA’ voluntary labeling standard which went into effect on January 1, 2026, and increases consumer understanding of what the label means.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c6GfC4
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PETTING ZOO: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Nature’s cutest baby animals are coming to a farm field in Brooklyn Park — and families will have a chance to see them up close. Spring Babies, a petting zoo hosted by the Twin Cities Festival, will open on April 11.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NPU52m
HOLIDAY MEALS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Spring holidays bring families and friends together for Easter ham, Passover brisket, and Mother’s Day egg-based brunch dishes. As consumers across America prepare these traditional meals for large gatherings, following basic food safety practices can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bSgNiF
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