APPRECIATION: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Farm work is hard work. On Farmworker Appreciation Day, we want to thank the people behind the scenes who keep things running. From planting to harvest, the work you do matters and we couldn’t do what we do without you.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4ozrTi3 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
THIS WEEK: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Saturday that she will have a major announcement next week in the battle against New World screwworm, the flesh-eating pest that has been moving up from Central America through Mexico, forcing the periodic suspension of U.S. livestock imports. Before the Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair, Rollins said she will be in Texas on Aug. 15 to make ‘probably the biggest announcement to date on New World screwworm and how we forever push it back.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45f6ymp
ETHANOL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Legislation that would improve access to E15 has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar helped introduce the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act along with ag committee members Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.” KLOBUCHAR: “I pushed during the Biden administration, I’m an all purpose pushing for biofuels. And I think they are going to be looking for ways to keep this strong, and man that year-round E15 is an easy one to do. So hopefully we can include it in some legislation, and I lead one of the bills on it.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mXp0WL
BUILDING MATERIALS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Two castoffs of a typical Minnesota farm, straw and the stalks of hemp plants, are becoming valuable as building materials. The state is on track to become the first to authorize straw and hemp in building construction, chiefly as insulation, thanks to some enthusiastic sustainability experts, architects and innovative builders at one of the state’s Indian nations. Last month, a technical advisory group working on the once-every-six-years building code update, set to be finalized in 2026, gave its blessing to both materials. The International Residential Code approved straw bales for use in homebuilding in 2015, and gave the nod to hemp in 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oKYpxM
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
BISON: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The White Earth Nation’s Bison Program welcomed its first calf this week to its breeding herd located near Naytahwaush. The tribal nation stated in a post on Thursday, ‘This historic birth marks a new chapter in our ongoing efforts to restore the bison to Anishinaabe lands.’ Jack Heisler, bison foreman of the program, says they weren’t expecting a calf until spring 2026 at the earliest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lrDWLw
MORE: From White Earth Nation via Facebook, photos of the calf. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/45c9ZKt
WORKFORCE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s agriculture industry relies on thousands of foreign workers. Yet uncertainty over the federal H-2A foreign worker program has left many of the state’s farmers unsure about the future — and saddled with the bill. Christopher Vondracek has been reporting on this for the Minnesota Star Tribune — he spoke with MPR News host Lisa Ryan about his reporting.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4m8jFLZ
LAND: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag real estate specialist suggests stability in the farmland market could be shaken by several factors. Diane Zelhart with Compeer Financial tells Brownfield values have been stable in 2025 despite low commodity prices and high interest rates.” ZELHART: “I think right now land values are positioned to strike at any time, but things are relatively comfortable kind of preparing for the broader economic context.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45RI7ur
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence sponsor)
RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Via DTN, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Iowa State Fair on Saturday and became the first cabinet member to exhibit in the Governor's Charity Steer Show. Prior to the show, Rollins took the chance to announce a $152 million investment in rural development projects across the state of Iowa to help boost Iowa's economy, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in America's heartland.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hhz9hJ
FARM BUREAUS: Via Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “The County Activities of Excellence program is an American Farm Bureau Federation initiative that celebrates outstanding county Farm Bureau projects – unique, volunteer programming at the local level. Activities are recognized in the areas of Education & Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations & Information, Leadership Development, Policy Implementation and Safety. Through the program, up to 24 innovative county Farm Bureau activities from across the nation will be selected to display at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention and Trade Show in Anaheim, California, Jan. 9-14.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45nj2Zj
DAKOTA CTY: Via Sun Thisweek, VERBATIM: “The Dakota County Board of Commissioners celebrated farm families and highlighted 4-H participants during its annual special meeting Aug. 5 at the Dakota County Fair in Farmington. For the past four years the board has met and is one of few county boards in Minnesota that meets at its county fair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mB3Nl5
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
FARMFEST: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “Every year many key agriculture issues are discussed as part of the feature forums that are held at Farmfest in early August. The forums included several national and state agricultural leaders discussing many of the key issues affecting farm families and rural communities in Minnesota and the Midwest. These issues included low profit margins in crop production, the need for a dependable economic ‘safety net’ for crop and livestock producers, tariffs and ag trade, and future opportunities for biofuels.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45KPMeT
MORE: Via MinnPost, photojournalist Ellen Schmidt’s photos from Farmfest. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3HlFZTq
SOYBEANS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A northwest Minnesota farmer tells Brownfield soybean aphid pressure is at or near threshold levels. Blair Hoseth farms near Mahnomen.” HOSETH: “We’ve sprayed one field (for aphids), and then we’ve had some in another field. But the beneficials seem like they’ve done a decent job this year, so if we have a little patience to leave them alone it seems like they come in and have been doing their job.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HtcZZJ
CORN: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “Valleyfair is about to get corny for its annual celebration of Minnesota’s signature farm crop. Corn Fest runs Saturdays and Sundays through the end of August, plus Labor Day on Monday, September 1st. Special hosts will greet visitors throughout the amusement park. Expect to be a-maized by the different food and drink options.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UjRjSS
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced President Trump’s nominations of key USDA leadership at the Iowa State Fair. This rounds out the senior leadership of USDA.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4oxbf2e
HISTORY: From meteorologist Dr. Mark Seeley via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Overall, there were more than 220 record daily rainfalls reported within the Minnesota climate station network in September 2010. Observers in more than 30 counties reported 10 inches or more of rainfall for the month, and the statewide average from over 1,000 rainfall observers was more than 6.4 inches. Some places such as Windom and Zumbrota received over 14 inches. There were multiple flash floods and scores of flooded crop fields. Many farmers were thankful for their tile drainage systems. With about half of the days in September bringing rain to most areas of the state, crop harvesting progress was slowed. By month’s end, little of the corn and soybean crop had been harvested.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45oA9sk
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILY: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “Charlie Olson said farming was something he’s loved his whole life. ‘It’s all I ever wanted to do,’ Olson said of farming. ‘And my oldest son, it’s all he ever wanted to do.’ Through three generations, the Olson family have stayed connected to their farm near Cottonwood, and their local community. And this week, they were recognized as one of Minnesota’s Farm Families of the Year. ‘It’s an honor. We’ve been really blessed,’ said Charlie’s wife Traci Olson.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oABC7O
FARM FAMILY: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “What began as a modest chicken operation in 1979 near Clear Lake has evolved into a thriving 1,700-acre row crop enterprise for the Golly family of central Minnesota, earning them the recognition of Sherburne County’s Farm Family of the Year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UVkKe5
FARM FAMILY: Via New Ulm Journal, VERBATIM: “The 2025 University of Minnesota Extension Service Brown County Farm Family of the Year is in a class by itself compared to most farms in southern Minnesota. A spark of inspiration at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair led Stark Township farmers Elizabeth and Craig Fischer to become curious about creating a bison ranch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ft79nI
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