PEACE: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Gene Fynboh, of Brandon, Minnesota, died on July 15. He was 83. He was elected to the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, serving as chair in 2002-03; was a member of the Minnesota Corn Growers, and served on the National Corn Growers board of directors. He was a founding director of the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company—a farmer-owned cooperative, and a pioneering organization in the development of the ethanol industry and served for 26 years on its board of directors. Fynboh was among the small group of farmers who volunteered countless hours at the Minnesota State Capitol, communicating with lawmakers, to help establish the 10 percent ethanol requirement and the Ethanol Producers Tax Credit, both of which were essential to the early success of Minnesota’s ethanol industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lNcGrK (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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ECONOMICS: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “Some of the big challenges facing farmers in southwest Minnesota aren’t really new, but they have a big impact, speakers at a Tuesday agriculture panel said. In a study of more than 1,500 Minnesota farms, the median net income dropped 80% between 2021 and 2024, Chase VanKeulen said. ‘That’s due to a lot of different factors. But mainly, grain prices have been coming down and inputs really have not followed,’ VanKeulen said. ‘They’re staying at the same levels or they’re even increasing, and it’s really just hitting farms pretty tough.’ While speakers at the 2025 State of Agriculture panel at the Lyon County fairgrounds did discuss topics like farm challenges and declining birth rates in rural communities, they also talked about how to try and encourage growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o4Th7g
MORE: Marketplace talked with southwest Minnesota livestock and crop farmer Clayton Johnson. VERBATIM: “Even though the weather has been cooperating for Johnson, the same can’t be said for market forces impacting his operation. He said the cost for fertilizer and pesticide applications has been rising. ‘Honestly, it’s scary. Input costs keep going up. Our commodity prices keep going down,’ Johnson said. Low prices for commodity crops are a problem for farmers all over the country right now. Corn, soy bean and wheat prices are all fetching lower prices than they were three years ago.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40V9VfN
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
OCTOBER: Via news release from Reuters Events, VERBATIM: “In response to mounting pressures on global food systems—including labor shortages, climate risks, and market volatility—Reuters Events is proud to announce the return of Transform Food & Agriculture USA 2025 in Minneapolis. The event will unite 200 senior leaders from across the agri-food value chain to drive collaboration, share actionable insights, and deliver transformation at scale.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4nAZa
USDA: Via Investigate Midwest, VERBATIM: “In her first six months as the nation’s top agriculture official, Brooke Rollins has reshaped the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s focus — ‘more farmer, less climate,’ she summarized. Her leadership will make farmers more prosperous than ever before, she proclaimed. ‘This is making America and American agriculture great again,’ she told Congress. But her management has left many within USDA unmoored and frightened. Mass firings have purged scientists, whose discoveries underpin modern agriculture, from seeds to soil management. Indiscriminate terminations will likely deter younger, qualified candidates from joining the effort to address agriculture’s pressing challenges, such as adapting to climate change and containing animal diseases like bird flu.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3H2zQez
CROP PROGRESS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Crop development varies across northern Iowa. Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz says corn is in a lot of different stages . . . Rieck-Hinz tells Brownfield soybeans are enduring some challenging weather conditions.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oi2cCu
NEXT MONTH: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “From its beginnings decades ago as a gathering of farmers and equipment dealers, Farmfest has evolved into one of the largest ag-focused events in the Upper Midwest. With hundreds of exhibitors, expanded family activities and hot-topic policy forums, the 2025 show aims to bring useful information for farmers today. Farmfest remains grounded in its educational roots. Forums, held in the Wick Building, feature sessions that dig into some pressing issues facing agriculture today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nY95sh
URBAN AG: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “As food insecurity continues to impact thousands of families across Minnesota, one nonprofit, Urban Roots, is working to equip youth with the tools to grow, cook and share their own food . . . One of the organization’s paid internship opportunities is the Market Garden program. In this program, teens spend a few hours during different times of the day prepping, picking and planting crops at the organization’s Rivoli Bluffs farm.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45gNjIS
DC: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announces the kick-off event and programming for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In celebration with America 250, the event will be hosted during National Farmers Market Week and will run this summer from Sunday, August 3 to Friday, August 8, daily from 4:00-8:00 p.m. ET.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44K13Md
WEATHER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer says his crops are bouncing back after several shots from the weather. Bob Worth grows corn and soybeans in Lincoln County and tells Brownfield planting finished in record time this spring. ‘The crop came up pretty fast, and then the winds started blowing. We were having 50 mile-an-hour sustained winds, and we did have some leaves on the corn get ripped pretty hard. Soybeans took a really bad beating.’ He says that was followed by a late season frost that damaged some soybeans.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oi1aX8
MANURE: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Ash Grove Dairy, northwest of Lake Benton, Minn., is adding another revenue stream by turning manure produced by the 2,100-head Holstein cow herd into renewable natural gas via a methane digester that has been operational for about 18 months. A joint venture between Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and bp called Renewco owns the digester facility, says Christie Ings, Clean Energy senior director of renewable natural gas engineering and compliance.” INGS: “We are in partnership with the dairy, though, so there are royalties that are paid to the dairy for the renewable natural gas produced by the manure from Ash Grove’s dairy cows.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kZMUPP
GRANTS: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “Three Central Minnesota food processing businesses are among 42 statewide recipients of $1.7 million in state agricultural funding aimed at expanding production capacity and market access. B&K Schrupp’s Meat & Seafood in Paynesville received funding through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s grant programs to buy a heat-sealing packaging machine for their meat processing operations . . . Concept Processing in Melrose was awarded money to buy a filler and bagger system that will beef up their fluid milk processing capabilities . . . The French Lake Butcher Shop in South Haven will use its grant funding to acquire a bowl chopper, which will significantly increase its sausage production capacity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46uPZE5
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)
OCTOBER: Via Ingstad Media, VERBATIM: “A transformative weekend retreat called Annie’s Project will be held for farmers and ranchers who want to foster connections, share knowledge and empower individuals passionate about agriculture. This educational retreat is geared to women farmers, but all people are invited to attend including long-time, beginner, and future farmers from both urban and rural areas. The event will inspire collaboration, growth, and empowerment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f0stke
AMBASSADORS: Via UofM Extension, VERBATIM: “We are thrilled to introduce the 2025–2026 Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador team—a dynamic group of 28 outstanding youth leaders representing 20 counties across the state! These young changemakers have been selected for one of the highest honors in Minnesota 4-H, serving as leaders, role models and spokespeople for our program throughout the coming year.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/452AwZg
WHEAT: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “The condition of the nation’s spring wheat is widely varied, according to the latest Crop Progress report from USDA. In one state, 87% of the crop was in good/excellent condition, while in another, just 7% of the crop was rated good/excellent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46Ig82n
ALFALFA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A forage specialist says warm and wet weather is having a mixed impact on alfalfa. Jeff Jackson with CROPLAN tells Brownfield many growers across the Midwest are beginning a third cutting.” JACKSON: “The moisture we’ve had is fantastic, and we would all agree that from a crop growing standpoint, having moisture (is beneficial). The guys are taking third crop hay like they’ve never seen, they’re ecstatic about the quantity. Now, the issue is the quality.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Uq81jh
DOGS: Via Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “Calling all outstanding farm dogs! The American Farm Bureau Federation is still seeking nominees for the Farm Dog of the Year Contest.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4o0WPHs
DISEASES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Crop disease pressure is keeping a custom applicator in eastern Iowa busy. Cole Deklotz owns R & R Ag Service and says 2025 has turned into one of the wettest years in recent memory, with northern corn leaf blight reappearing.” DEKLOTZ: “The past few years, tar spot has been on everyone’s radar. Everyone wants to talk about tar spot. You know, we hear about it so early. I think that’s all we focused on, and now all of the sudden with Northern, it’s something to be really concerning to me.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40yb5xu
WEEDS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Not only do noxious/invasive weeds damage our natural resources, they also can be harmful to people. The latest episode of our Smarty Plants podcast looks at which weeds to watch out for & problems that can occur when we have contact with them.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/40vIx7U
PUMPKINS: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Pumpkins Galore near Holdingford, Minnesota, a thriving seasonal pumpkin operation has steadily grown from a backyard hobby into a thoughtful and productive agricultural endeavor. Katie Nelson, who is quite the entrepreneur, combines her agricultural background with a passion for cultivating a wide range of pumpkins, both ornamental and carving.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lMmS3Q
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILY: Via Voice of Alexandria, VERBATIM: “Kevin and Steph Krohnfeldt of Alexandria along with their children Kelsey and Cole are recognized as a U of M Farm Family representing Douglas County! The Krohnfeldt family will be honored at a special Farmfest ceremony on August 7.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3H2EzwN
MORE: Via UofM Extension, profiles of all of this year’s Farm Family honorees. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/2UFm21c
CORN MAZE: From Valley Corn Maize via X, VERBATIM: “BIG NEWS! Valley Corn Maize in East Grand Forks, MN has the WORLD’S LARGEST CORN MAZE powered by @PioneerSeeds! 5 epic levels to conquer over 121 acres!” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4730X3A
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