EYOTA: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Today, we check in with Arthur Wendt, who has farmed in Eyota since the 1960s. Over the years Arthur has dabbled in various crops and livestock species; including dairy, beef, and swine. He was also a seed dealer for nearly thirty years. Today the main focus of Wendt Farms is corn and soybeans. Arthur’s son Paul has been farming with him full-time since the 1990’s. Paul has two teenage sons who also share the passion for farming, and they help with everything from planting to harvesting.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4fkq574 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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WORTHINGTON: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Over the past generation, immigrants from Southeast Asia, East Africa and now predominantly Central America have transformed this once overwhelmingly white community on the vast prairie. Students of color constitute more than 80% of those enrolled in K-12, Spanish is most children’s first language, and soccer is far more popular than football. ‘Literally everything has changed,’ said Chad Cummings, a city councilor and co-owner of the local radio stations — including a new 24/7 Spanish-language one. Immigration is a core issue for voters this election, and some of the 2024 campaign’s most charged political vitriol has swirled around its effects on towns small and big across the country . . . Thanks to migrants, most of whom come to work in the pork processing plant next to giant corn silos on its outskirts, the town has bucked the trend of rural communities nationwide that never recovered from the 1980s farm crisis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48yVRLb
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows more than 90% of the state is in drought with 51% considered severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
MORE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An atmospheric scientist is concerned drought conditions could worsen over much of the Midwest. Dr. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions says there are two strikes against a large region of the Corn Belt that’s become extremely dry.” SNODGRASS: “Low soil moisture that’s throughout the Great Plains to the Midwest all the way to the Great Lakes, one of the driest falls on record. And the other strike against us is this weak La Nina.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3C2FqL1
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LEAK: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A leak from a bulk storage tank released anhydrous ammonia fumes Wednesday evening south of Hayfield, Minn., forcing the closing of Hwy. 56 to traffic for several hours, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities received a report of anhydrous fumes crossing Hwy. 56 at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday near Central Farm Service, just north of the Mower County line. The Hayfield Fire Department and State Patrol responded along with firefighters from Brownsdale and Blooming Prairie, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation closed the highway and rerouted traffic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40zh1qV
From health take…
BIRD FLU: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “A pig in Oregon has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, the Agriculture Department said Wednesday. It's the first time the virus has been detected in swine in the United States. Test results are pending for two other pigs found on the farm in Crook County, Oregon, the USDA said, while two others tested negative. The pig that tested positive didn't show signs of illness.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eqgH0Z
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon begin testing bulk raw milk across the country for bird flu, a significant expansion of the agency's efforts to stifle the rapid spread of the virus, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Reuters. The move comes after livestock and veterinary groups pushed the USDA to strengthen its current surveillance approach, calling it inadequate to contain the virus, according to state records and industry documents reviewed by Reuters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hlGEkZ
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FOOD SAFETY: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Sweet-corn stalks, browned and sharpened by the late-summer sun, stand guard at the perimeter of Rae Rusnak’s squash fields in Kenyon, MN. Their main purpose? To protect the valuable squash that will land on children’s lunch trays in the Minneapolis and Kenyon-Wanamingo school districts . . . Rusnak's wall of corn may protect her squash from deer, but a food safety strategy is needed to protect school children enjoying the delicious and nutritious squash through farm-to-school programs. That’s because foodborne illnesses can be spread through produce when food safety isn’t practiced on the farm. University of Minnesota Extension helps Rusnak and Minnesota’s other 3,500 fruit and vegetable producers prevent illness through training in Good Agricultural Practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4htd9O6
ACCESS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced today that USDA is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to invest nearly $6 million to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country. The investments are being made through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Planning Grant Program, which provides grants to organizations for healthy food retail or food retail supply chain projects in early-stage planning and predevelopment phases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48vx8re
SCHOOLS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that students eligible for free and reduced price school meals must not be charged junk fees along with the cost of a meal served through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. This policy, effective school year 2027-2028, will lower costs for families with income under 185% of federal poverty guidelines – equal to $57,720 for a family of four – by ensuring they are not burdened by processing fees when purchasing school meals for their children. Today’s action is a first step. USDA will examine fees charged to families with a goal of eliminating online junk fees for all families regardless of income level to further remove barriers to access healthy meals.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ebNkPB
POTASH: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The world’s largest crop inputs company is also the biggest potash producer. Nutrien Ag Solutions is based in Saskatchewan Canada, where it boasts six potash mines with more than 20 million metric tons of capacity. Head of marketing Brian Knifong says the process to bring potash to market is complex.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48uOVyG
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT YEAR: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that registration is now open for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event, titled ‘Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,’ will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 27-28, 2025. Additionally, all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AonZUM
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