THIS WEEK: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “MN Ag Expo, the free winter convention hosted annually by Minnesota Corn and Minnesota Soybean, is back this week! Join us this Wednesday and Thursday at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato for two days of education sessions, networking, demonstrations, a trade show, and more. The online registration deadline for MN Ag Expo has passed, but we’d still love to have you, even if you’re not yet registered.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hs0nOS (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MORE: From Jackson Jirik via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “President of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Darin Johnson, spoke on the importance of the event.” JOHNSON: “You put together a comprehensive plan that represents all 25,000 farmers across the state of Minnesota because there’s different conservation practices, a lot of different practices across the state, and we just want to make sure that we’re taking that plan to St. Paul and Washington, DC and it’s representing all 25,000 farmers in the state of Minnesota.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aviSzD
TARIFFS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “President Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico by the beginning of next month. Speaking to reporters Monday, Trump said he expects to issue 25 percent tariffs on imports from both countries starting February 1st. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield he believes in fair trade and supports the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement.” GRASSLEY: “On the other hand, I think Trump has a new approach to tariffs. To put them on, bring people to the table, get (more) free trade. I don’t know that it’s going to work, but I’m not going to badmouth Trump in the meantime.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42r0KoG
FARM BUREAU: From Rusty Halvorson via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Collin Peterson, former congressional leader from Minnesota, and former Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney, are the recipients of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award and Farm Bureau Founders Award, respectively. The DSA and Founders Award are the highest honors presented by AFBF. Peterson and Haney will be recognized during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention in San Antonio, Jan. 24-29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WtOaBq
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
JET FUEL: From Kirsti Marohn via MPR, VERBATIM: “Imagine if airplanes could be powered by fuel made from a plant grown in Minnesota, and it’s better for the climate than conventional jet fuel. Some University of Minnesota researchers have been working to develop winter crops that can be made into biofuels, plus have other environmental benefits. Their work is getting renewed attention and now, a financial boost . . . The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced it’s awarding a $10 million grant to the U program to expand its research of winter oilseeds, including camelina and pennycress.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4h4rznf
MORE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A global airplane manufacturer is partnering with the Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub. Greater MSP Partnership CEO Peter Frosch says French company Airbus has agreed to invest as the airline industry attempts to decarbonize jet fuel.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4haXeDt
(DISCLOSURE: Delta Air Lines is a client of Fluence Advisory)
QUESTIONNAIRE: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is calling on produce farmers who have never completed the Grower Questionnaire, or who have not filled it out since 2022, to complete the 2025 edition. Completing this questionnaire helps farmers identify the federal food safety requirements that apply to their operations and gain access to additional support to improve food safety practices on their farms. By participating, growers contribute to a more accurate picture of Minnesota’s produce sector, allowing the MDA to provide tailored resources and guidance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E5TdBI
FARM BILL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A member of the House Agriculture Committee expects changes to come from farm bill negotiations. Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra says he was frustrated a new farm bill wasn’t finished last year.” FEENSTRA: “Now we have majorities in the House and Senate, and we have the presidency. I do think there are going to be some things changing in the farm bill, probably some things around SNAP, work requirements, or fraud adjustments.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40uyIG6
HUNTERS: Via Outdoor News, VERBATIM: “When Congress last month passed an extension to the federal farm bill for 2025 and avoided a government shutdown, the bill, unlike other extensions, did not include funding for a popular bipartisan federal walk-in access program important to hunters. The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) funds state walk-in access programs – private land that’s open to hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists. The vast majority of funding for the Minnesota DNR’s Walk-in Access program comes from VPA-HIP grants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ct5Mq3
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)
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of the following individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. These appointees have been selected to implement President Trump’s America First agenda, ensuring that the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.
Kailee Tkacz Buller Appointed as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Preston Parry Appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jennifer Tiller Appointed as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
Ralph Linden Appointed as Principal Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Audra Weeks Appointed as Deputy Director of Communications of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dominic Restuccia Appointed as White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture”
READ: https://fluence-media.co/40EHdjj
TRANSITION: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Multigenerational Farm Transition Retreats are available for Minnesota farmers considering farm transition or succession plans. These retreats are offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, and the Southern Agricultural Center for Excellence. Attendees will be guided through hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family; all generations actively involved in the farm are encouraged to attend.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/40JQ5V1
CARGILL: From Brooks Johnson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Cargill will pay $32.5 million to settle claims the company conspired with other poultry producers to fix the price of turkey and overcharge customers. The Minnetonka-based agribusiness is the nation’s third-largest turkey purveyor, after Butterball and Jennie-O, according to WATT Poultry, a trade publication. Cargill controls about 20% of the turkey market through brands such as Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms, according to court documents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4axM35d
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FUNDING: Via Perham Focus, VERBATIM: “Small farms in the region are invited to apply for new funding available through The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund at the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation. The funding will support on-farm projects that address climate change and build resilience. The Farmer Climate Action Fund seeks ready-to-go, farmer-led projects, including but not limited to planting wildlife corridors, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy alternatives, designing and installing agrivoltaics systems, adding biochar, planting nitrogen cover crops and implementing other conservation practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hr8wTP
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