CHANGE: From Brooke S. Appleton via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Change is hard. Change is scary. We are reminded at different periods in our lives – sometimes happily, other times painfully – that for everything there is a season and a time to every purpose. I am thinking a lot about change as I prepare to leave my current position at the National Corn Growers Association. I thoroughly enjoyed leading NCGA’s public policy efforts and could easily stay in this job for the rest of my career. But I realize change is necessary if we are to learn, grow and expand our horizons.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hMWnca (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
E15: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Supporters are urging Congressional leaders to get year-round nationwide E15 across the finish line. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw says attendees of their annual summit this week signed a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling for an immediate fix for year-round E15.” SHAW: “Get it done. No more Iowa Nice, no more patience. We’ve been waiting 10 years. I don’t know if it was because in December we came so close you could almost taste it, only to have it snatched away for really dumb reasons at the end. But the patience is over.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WUfA3E
LAMBERTON: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Starting the day in Lamberton visiting Highwater Ethanol. Appreciated hearing updates on markets, trade co-products & more.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3Evb5WU
BIOFUELS: Via news release from Rep. Angie Craig, VERBATIM: “This week, Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led nearly 30 colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize renewable fuels as the Agency works to set the new Administration’s energy agenda. In a bipartisan letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the lawmakers emphasized the important role that American biofuels can play in lowering energy costs and investing in an all-of-the-above energy policy and encouraged the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Reps. Craig and Smith are co-chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gtJvXb
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
MEXICO: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the following statement commending Mexico’s action to declare ineffective measures concerning genetically engineered (GE) corn that the United States successfully challenged in the USMCA dispute. Today’s action safeguards approximately $5.6 billion in U.S. corn exports to Mexico. USDA, in coordination with USTR, will continue to monitor Mexico’s compliance with its USMCA commitments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hPDHby
NATIONAL GUARD: From Jared White via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Some National Guard troops could soon have healthier food options. Erin Meyer, executive director of Basil’s Harvest, a Chicago-based non-profit, says the National Guard is encouraging a more wholistic approach to soldier health. ‘Physical health, mental health, spiritual health and nutritional health.’ She says, ‘And so they have an initiative called ‘Go for the Green,’ which is encouraging food service to order more whole or minimally processed foods that are more nutrient dense.’ She tells Brownfield their group is working with Illinois and Minnesota-based units to form a regional supply chain with producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40N8DCC
BIRD FLU: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “A variant of H5N1 bird flu that has circulated widely in wild birds — and in several instances led to severe illness in several humans — has turned up in dairy cattle for the first time. The findings were relayed in a short update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which traced the new variant back to dairy herds in Nevada. The variant, known as D1.1 genotype, belongs to a different genetic lineage than what's fueled the infections in dairy cattle over the past year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jM9KuR
From morning take…
USAID: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. farmers and agribusinesses, including Minnesota ventures from ag giants to processors of yellow split peas, could lose money after President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly closed USAID. Minnetonka-based Cargill, Inver Grove Heights-based CHS Inc. and Minneapolis trader Sinamco sold a total of $70 million in sorghum, wheat and peas to the agency’s Food for Peace program. … In total, [USAID] last year purchased $2 billion in U.S.-grown crops from corn and soybeans to wheat, sorghum, vegetable oil and peas. Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin farmers were among those selling their crops to the program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aMkBRv
Sign up for morning take…
CAPITOL: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “More than 70 Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members traveled to St. Paul on Feb. 4 for MFU’s Lobby Day. Members met with nearly 40 policymakers, including Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Torrey Westrom, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and agency leaders from the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Revenue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/416Q3Xw
MORE: From Rusty Halvorson via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota wheat producers are experts in their fields. And the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG) is an expert in advocating for farm-friendly policy in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. MAWG leadership moves the needle for growers, but they can achieve infinitely more when growers carve time out of their busy schedules to tell their stories to legislators, explaining how policies and laws affect their farms. To give Minnesota wheat farmers the opportunity to do just that, MAWG is hosting its annual Wheat Day on the Hill event Feb. 24-25.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CtqeaE
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows 63% of the state is now in drought, up from 49% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
WEEDS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Spring moisture plays a crucial role in weed management. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says sufficient rain between March and May helps preemergence herbicides be more effective.” NICOLAI: “And that was very evident this year in terms of having really good rainfall patterns (to active the herbicides), compared to previous years when it’s been dry for the first couple of weeks right out of the chute in terms of after planting.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aOMxUQ
FARM BILL: Via Farms.com, VERBATIM: “Addressing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Keeff Felty, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, highlighted the critical economic issues facing the agricultural sector as he enters his 40th farming year. Felty's testimony painted a stark picture of the challenges similar to the severe downturns of the early 1980s, emphasizing the necessity of robust legislative support through the farm bill. Felty appreciated the recent disaster assistance from Congress but stressed that ‘That assistance is much needed across all of agriculture. However, long-term improvements to the farm safety net must be included as this committee, and Congress work to reauthorize the farm bill this year.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aXICFm
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
JOBS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Attention job hunters! The MDA is seeking applications for Forest Pest Surveyor positions across the eastern half of Minnesota for the 2025 Spongy Moth Detection Trapping Survey. Work outdoors to set, inspect & remove traps in an assigned route.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/40QsY9R
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
As someone who subscribed, or as a member of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council you are receiving this email.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427