LEGISLATION: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “MCGA joins the National Corn Growers Association in urging Congress to include economic assistance for farmers in its year-end legislative package. Corn farmers are faced with low prices and high input costs, and economic aid would provide them with critical relief during challenging economic times.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4ghtoN0 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
AWARD: Via MSCA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) awarded Kevin Hoge of Aitkin, Minnesota, as the 2024 Cattleman of the Year during the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention in St. Cloud on Dec. 06. Each year, the MSCA recognizes a cattleman that has made a positive and lasting contribution to Minnesota’s cattle community. The Minnesota Cattleman of the Year award recognizes a strong record of active promotion of the beef industry and a willingness to speak out publicly on behalf of the industry, as well as active participation in and supporter of the MSCA.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4giA6SX
WORKFORCE: Via DLI, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) issued a report detailing recommendations for meat and poultry processing workers to fulfill a requirement of the Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act (Safe Workplaces Act) passed in 2023. Among other things, the law required the agency to hire a worker rights coordinator and to report annually about recommendations to promote better treatment of meat and poultry processing workers. The report covers the implementation of the Safe Workplaces Act, recommendations from managers, supervisors and employers, and testimonies and recommendations from meatpacking workers. During May to October 2024, DLI's worker rights coordinator visited 24 facilities under the jurisdiction of the Safe Workplaces Act and distributed educational materials to 88 facilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZwFWJq REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3ZDN1YK
DC: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing is in Washington, D.C. this week to participate in the American Farm Bureau resolutions process.” GLESSING: “We’re going to have meetings, but we’ll hit the Hill afterwards to talk about the farm bill and the economic and disaster assistance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gDG9S8
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
LOANS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $78.3 million in partially forgivable loans for clean energy projects through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program to help lower electricity bills for households, expand reliable access to renewable energy and create jobs for rural families, small businesses and agricultural producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gznRkM
MORE: Via USDA, descriptions of funded projects including one in Western Wisconsin. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Btd4tF
MN PROJECTS: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota. The $15.6 million investment will save farms and rural small businesses nearly $18.4 million on their energy bills per year while simultaneously reducing harmful carbon emissions. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 380 clean energy projects on farms and in rural communities thanks to the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). Senator Smith championed and strengthened REAP in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Bye4ww
JET FUEL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Canada’s National Farmers Union is concerned about the potential scale of the sustainable aviation fuel market. Director of climate crisis policy and action Darrin Qualman says the airline industry plans to transfer the energy sources for global aviation from oil fields to farm fields.” QUALMAN: “It is a huge, huge project over the next 25 years, many trillions of dollars, thousands of production facilities, hundreds of millions of acres, billions of tons of biomass. It really is huge.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VC3gUL
(DISCLOSURE: Delta Airlines is a client of Fluence Advisory)
LAYOFFS: From Kennedy Tesch via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The agricultural sector is facing significant challenges as major agribusinesses like Cargill, John Deere and Tyson Foods announce large-scale layoffs throughout their companies. These cuts are the latest sign that the agriculture industry could be entering a tough period. Chad Hart, an agricultural economics professor at Iowa State University, explained that the layoffs reflect deeper economic struggles within agriculture, largely driven by a sharp drop in farm incomes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dj4C0A
MANKATO: From Jp Lawrence via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The company shutting down a historic Mankato mill said they are looking into holding job fairs for employees and working with the city to preserve a massive mural. Ardent Mills, which will shut down its facility in Mankato in mid-January, met on Dec. 2 with Mankato city officials and the commerce group Greater Mankato Growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49J854Q
2024: From Farm Management Analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “At the end of every year, various publications, websites, etc. have their ‘Top 10’ or ‘Top 5’ list for that year. In this issue of ‘FOCUS ON AG’, I am highlighting my ‘Top 5 Ag Topics’ for 2024, based on issues that were discussed in the columns throughout the year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DdeBo0
FERTILIZER: From Dan Gunderson via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture wants to build a green fertilizer industry in the state. Officials believe a grant program will encourage agricultural cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to get into the fertilizer business. ‘It's brand new to the state, and it is actually the first of its kind in the nation,’ said MDA Energy and Environment section leader Megan Lennon. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Morris have worked for years to develop the technology to make ammonia using wind energy. That research is now ready to become a distributed fertilizer production industry, said Lennon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dm5Bx1
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 in January. Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
TOMORROW: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “A workshop set Tuesday in Madison provides a deep dive into Good Agricultural Practices on the farm. Sometimes called GAPs, they are science-based, farm-level practices for keeping fresh produce safe. According to the announcement, the training is for farm owners, workers and gardeners who grow, harvest and pack fresh fruits and vegetables for sale to all markets. It is also an opportunity to connect with other produce growers and receive help in writing a food safety plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZCQyXm
AQUACULTURE: From Dan Kraker via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is looking for public input on its new draft state aquaculture plan — the first update to the plan in more than 35 years. ‘What we are trying to do in the planning process is getting the word out to folks about what aquaculture is, what it can do for the state, and how we can basically create an economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry,’ explained Don Schreiner, a fishery specialist with the Minnesota Sea Grant Program at the University of Minnesota. Most aquaculture in the state is currently for bait fish and for fish stocking programs. The last state plan doesn’t even mention raising fish for food.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZPr5u
NEXTGEN: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The average Minnesota farmer is 57 years old, and with each passing year another generation looks to take the leadership mantle and lead the family farm. For more than 40 years, the American Soybean Association (ASA) Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program has provided valuable training for farmers early in their careers. The 2024-2025 Young Leader Class features two Minnesotans: Raymond DeMars and Rebecca Sip, who recently began representing Norman County on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gyLfii
NEXT YEAR: Via Pipestone Star, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Dairy Initiative (MDI) will be hosting a farm financial workshop series that will be available to dairy farmers across the state of Minnesota . . . The purpose of the workshop series is to connect dairy producers with a certified bookkeeping consultant that specializes in farm finances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZHTnq9
NEXT YEAR: Via KROX-Radio, VERBATIM: “‘Farming Your Way, Creating Balance’ is the theme for the 2025 Extension Women in Ag Conference, hosted by the U of M Women in Ag Network, in partnership with the Minnesota Farm Service Agency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41xUNGb
NEXT YEAR: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Keeping up with new crop production challenges is a top priority. The 2025 Research Update sessions will provide research-based knowledge and field-tested solutions that will help you overcome these challenges in the field in 2025. Register soon to reserve your spot at one of the five Research Updates sessions across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iGb8Pi
LOANS: Via Aitkin Age, VERBATIM: “Agricultural producers of perishable commodities including fruits, vegetables and floriculture can now get funding for controlled atmosphere storage through Farm Storage Facility Loans offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VGxRRg
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS TREES: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Almost 60 years ago, Lowell Dittberner and Cynthia Singleton’s father bought acreage in Parkers Prairie, in west central Minnesota, for duck and deer hunting. Over the years, they started planting evergreen trees on the property. Now, the land is dotted with rich green fir trees and families searching for their perfect Christmas tree to take home and enjoy. In 1977, Dittberner and his wife moved to Parkers Prairie. They originally were selling trees to people in other areas to sell in Christmas tree lots, but then they started getting requests from their community to come out and create their own Christmas cheer, right on their property.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VJjL1r
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