PUBLIC POLICY: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Corn Growers Association’s (MCGA) public policy manager has completed a prestigious University of Minnesota leadership and public policy program. Alex Trunnell, who has been with MCGA since 2019, wrapped up his time with the Policy Fellows Program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in June. Trunnell was one of 32 professionals from across the state to participate in the program’s 2024-25 cohort.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G72zi5 (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 MONTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to aerially manage 24 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Pine, and St. Louis counties to slow the spread of spongy moth, a destructive invasive forest pest. Officials will likely conduct the aerial management activities July 16-22, beginning as early as 6:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. These dates are dependent on weather conditions in the area. The 24 sites total approximately 83,760 acres.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44dQXD8
WORKFORCE: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump said in an interview on Fox News that the administration is working to develop a temporary pass for immigrants who work in certain industries, which would be the latest shift in the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement for farmworkers. ‘We’re working on it right now. We’re going to work it so that some kind of a temporary pass where people pay taxes, where the farmer can have a little control, as opposed to you walk in and take everybody away,’ Trump said in an interview that was recorded Friday and aired Sunday on Fox News’ ‘Sunday Morning Futures.’ Trump referred to authorities going to farms and taking ‘away people that have been working there for 15 and 20 years, who are good, who possibly came in incorrectly.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l2IZCC
MORE: Via Fox News, VERBATIM: “While some Republicans believe that the primary focus should be on those with a criminal background only, others have criticized the proposal made by the president.” QUOTE: “This is a bad idea. The law should not be enforced selectively, with politically-connected employers getting away with hiring illegal workers," Jessica M. Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, told Fox News Digital in an email. "Farm employers have access to a work visa program that allows them to hire an unlimited number of foreign workers, as long as they pay them a certain wage and provide other benefits. They shouldn't get a pass now for their unscrupulous behavior before. Hotel employers can get seasonal workers, and many of them do." READ: https://fluence-media.co/44t57yR
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
TRADE: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced American poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia, which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the United States. The Trump Administration continues to take bold action to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access for farmers and ranchers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40ydFmU
CROP UPDATE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southeast Minnesota farmer is concerned weeds could get a foothold on soybeans. Ben Storm of Dover spoke to Brownfield Monday, the first day he’s been able to apply post-emergence herbicide on beans. ‘My beans are weedier than I would’ve liked them to be at this point in the year, but between the wind and the rain we haven’t really had much of a chance to get out here and do anything lately.’ He says crop development is behind.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45S85iT
FARMFEST: Via Perham Focus, VERBATIM: “The top 5 finalists for the Farmfest 2025 Woman Farmer of the Year Award have been selected. The finalists include Kris Huebsch, who owns Otter Berry Farm in New York Mills with her husband Cordell, Haley Eckstrom of Odin, Kayla Cohrs of Glencoe, Holly Saehr of Pierz and Noreen Thomas of Dilworth.” QUOTE: “2025 nominations showed so much passion and dedication to agriculture and community in their stories,” said Niki Jones, IDEAg event marketing director. “These five women are hands-on, dedicated ag leaders and we are honored to name them as the top finalists for this award.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kfKeNz
MNLEG: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Every legislative session yields wins and losses, and the 2025 Minnesota version ended in major losses, as days after a special session wrapped up, House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally gunned down at their home. The same gunman also shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home. They are expected to survive.” QUOTE: “[Melissa Hortman] was actually one of the first elected officials to congratulate me after I was elected president,” recalls Dan Glessing, president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. “My heart goes out to the family, but that doesn’t help bring her back. I just can’t fathom a world that this happens in. … She was always interested in what we had to say. She was always interested in trying to do the right thing for Minnesotans. She was one of the good ones, and we’re going to miss her.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44pWqFC
FLOWERS: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s definition of a farm is changing, thanks in part to a cut flower farmer in Mazeppa. Allie Kuppenbender grows flowers. Lots of them. As the owner of Bleed Heart Floral Farm in Mazeppa, cut flowers make up her entire family’s income. Allie estimates she serves nearly 50 florists a week. Even with the makings of a traditional farm, Bleed Heart Floral wasn’t classified as a farm under Minnesota law earlier this year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lbpl7J
NEXT CROP: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Brewster corn and soybean grower Chris Hill tells Brownfield his focus is shifting from postemergence herbicide applications to cleaning out grain bins. ‘Getting ready for the next crop.’ He spoke to Brownfield while loading grain for delivery Tuesday.” HILL: “For the most part it’s all been priced so we’re just moving the grain that’s been priced. There’s probably a few loads in here that need to get priced yet.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3GiW0sI
AG INDUSTRY: Via UofM, an interview with CFANS dean Brian Buhr about the state of the ag industry and the role of the University of Minnesota. BUHR: “Volatility continues to be a major challenge. We have market volatility with regard to overall production and pricing. We have weather volatility coming off last year where we had very dry conditions followed by very wet conditions. We have ongoing disease pressures, thinking about the price of eggs and how that’s impacted by avian influenza, which is also moving into dairy cows as a form of influenza. The University of Minnesota helps farmers address these challenges with leading-edge research, new technology and public-private partnerships to find practical solutions to help producers stay strong and adapt quickly.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kj9keA
JET FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota corn and soybean farmer is bullish on the market potential of sustainable aviation fuel. Rob Tate of Cannon Falls says crops could become a major SAF feedstock. ‘I’m hopeful that we could see something in the next few years. I think we need to have some more guidance on that.’ He tells Brownfield there’s uncertainty with the 45Z tax credit which was established in the Inflation Reduction Act to encourage production of low-emission transportation fuels.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4l8ynlA
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)
WEATHER: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Brian Thalmann, who works the ground near Plato, Minn., planted into July-like conditions a little more than a month ago. It’s been somewhat of an uphill climb since then. ‘We had a period of three or four days where it was at 90 [degrees F] and it was dry,’ he says. Because of that, corn planting dragged out a little longer than he would have liked. ‘Some of the last crop was planted in really dry ground. We knew if it didn’t rain soon, it wouldn’t germinate.’ Eventually, the rain arrived — and a lot of it.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZR1DW
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers in southern Minnesota have been dealing with windy and wet conditions as they worked to finish postemergence herbicide applications. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse with Green Solutions Group says adverse weather also hampered top and side-dressing of nitrogen. ‘Wet field conditions, too much wind, all of the above can really cause some issues. And we have had a lot of wind this year.’ He tells Brownfield farmers are used to making adjustments.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44CsyWS
RETAIL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “You've seen the stands across the Twin Cities and in areas outside the metro. Chances are, you stopped in for some fresh fruit and veggies. And 50 years in, Untiedt's Farm is navigating some modern agricultural challenges. Untiedt's Vegetable Farm, a family-run operation west of the metro, is celebrating [its] legacy of providing fresh produce to the Twin Cities, now in its third generation.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lC4UR3
CROP ART: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Minnesota State Fair will end Sept. 1, but the crop art excitement continues on at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its exhibition ‘Cream of the Crop: A Minnesota Folk Art Showcase’ opens Sept. 6 and includes 10 works of crop art. A curatorial team from Mia and director and president Katie Luber will visit the State Fair and give awards to two crop artworks. The two categories are best interpretation of an artwork at Mia and best interpretation of a Minnesota landmark, story or figure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GjgaTs
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILY: Via Pine Journal, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota’s Carlton County Extension named the Davis family, who operate Davis Acres Ranch, as Carlton County’s 2025 Farm Family of the Year. The farm, operated by Brad and Jessica Davis and their children, started as a cow-calf operation and has since diversified into selling eggs, beef, pork and baked goods, according to a news release by the extension office.” QUOTE: “People ask me why I farm, and I say, ‘Because I like it,’” Brad said in the release. “My worst day farming is still better than my best day working. Even if the day’s to-do list doesn’t get done, it’s still a great day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nwGo5C
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