NCGA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “For the past four years, at least one Minnesotan has been a member of the executive leadership team on the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Board of Directors. Tom Haag of Eden Valley served as NCGA First Vice President in 2021-22, NCGA President in 2022-23, and NCGA Chairman in 2023-24. Meanwhile, Harold Wolle of Madelia served as First Vice President in 2022-23, President in 2023-24, and Chairman in 2024-25. As Harold prepares to transition out of the executive leadership role next month, freelance writer Jonathan Eisenthal caught up with him and Tom to hear about their experiences leading NCGA.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46jZ81z (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
TURKEYS: Via KAXE-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is taking comment on feedlot permits for two Jennie-O Turkey Store farms in Northern Minnesota through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. The agency has made a preliminary determination to issue permits for a farm in Ada and Hiltner Farm in Wadena.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/466T4s6
USDA: Via KNOX-Radio, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the public comment period for a controversial plan involving important services for Minnesota farmers and producers around the country, while skeptics of the proposed reorganization warn of disruptions and threats to food safety. Over the summer, the federal agency announced a large-scale idea for shaking up the geography of USDA workers, by relocating roughly 2,600 staff based in and around Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs. The Trump administration contends a key benefit is bringing more staff closer to food producers. Doug Albin, a farmer from Clarkfield, is not so sure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/466W1sG
WEATHER: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is expanding the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN) with a new weather station just west of Viking. The station, called Viking 1SW, will deliver localized weather data to farmers in Marshall and Pennington counties—areas that have until now fallen outside the network’s reach. Another station near Fosston in Polk County is slated to go online later this month, bringing the total number of weather stations operated by MDA and its local partners to 58 across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mlGICB
MORE: Via MDA, information about the weather network including a map of stations. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4m3XHsW
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
NEXT WEEK: Via NASDA, VERBATIM: “The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture will showcase a record-breaking ‘A Taste of the States: Miami’ pavilion at the 2025 Americas Food & Beverage Show Sept. 10-12 at Miami Beach Convention Center, demonstrating the strength of U.S. food and beverage innovation and global trade connections.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V2vLKN
TRADE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers and farm groups met with USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg Wednesday. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad hosted a roundtable in New Ulm, Minnesota and says Linderberg heard concerns that were expressed during the August recess. ‘In regards to the current climate and whether it’s the price or the trade talks or the upcoming crop that we have.’ He tells Brownfield the undersecretary was asked about what to expect on the trade front.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42eyNQ3
AWARD: Via Patriot News, VERBATIM: “At his recent statewide conference, Stearns County Agricultural Inspector Bob Dunning was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Association of County Agricultural Inspectors (MACAI) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). This award is rarely — if ever — presented, and it recognizes Bob’s decades of exceptional dedication, leadership, and partnership in advancing the agricultural inspector program across Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gaz4sV
SUNDAY: Via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Ginseng Field Day will take place at Vergas' North Circle Seeds Farm this Sunday, Sept. 7. This event is an opportunity for those interested in learning more about the 100-year-old American Ginseng plant and its properties, at no cost. According to North Circle Seeds owner Zachary Paige, his farm received a demonstration grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which enabled him to stage this hands-on workshop, starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mHXSLs
AID: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The prospect of negative returns this year and next has some farmers asking if Congress is working on financial assistance. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says if an aid package comes together yet this year, it would most likely be through appropriations. ‘I don’t know for sure. Remember when it was directly related to tariffs on China in 2019, the president did it out of the CCC (Commodity Credit Corporation).’ The Iowa Republican is concerned about the current ag economy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47u1WdF
RFK JR: Via KCAU-TV, VERBATIM: “Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley zeroed in on farming regulations with Secretary RFK Jr. In January, RFK Jr. said during his confirmation hearing that he agreed to leave those regulations up to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. RFK Jr. told Grassley that he and U.S.D.A. Secretary Brooke Rollins are working together on their agendas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VALAZm
FIREFIGHTING: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today signed a new five-year contract for American made fire retardant with Perimeter Solutions, supporting the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior’s aerial wildland fire suppression programs. The agreement secures significant savings, putting the American taxpayer first, while strengthening our manufacturing base by keeping fire-retardant production made in America.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JHzIlR
POTATOES: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The North Dakota and Minnesota potato crop appears to be in fair condition as harvest gets underway. There are some fields that look good and some that are poor because they have been damaged by adverse weather, such as strong winds, said Andy Robinson, North Dakota State University and University Extension agronomist. The winds — some up to 100 mph in central North Dakota — cracked the stems of potatoes which allowed bacteria to enter, resulting in damage to the plants. Overall, the potato crop in North Dakota and Minnesota likely will be average, Robinson said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V36aBp
SUNFLOWERS: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Soil health and land stewardship have been motivations for Austin farmer Tom Finnegan for decades.
Finnegan and his family farm corn, soybeans, small grains, cover crops and sunflowers, plus raise Angus cow-calf pairs. He said he first became interested in cover crops when looking for a way to make room for his cattle. ‘Cattle health turned into soil health, which then turned into diversity in our crop,’ said Finnegan, standing in front of a field bordered by tall sunflowers. Finnegan’s philosophy of farming took shape after he and his wife made a key decision after first purchasing the farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HI5P4g
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)
TOMORROW: Via Eden Prairie Local News, VERBATIM: “A plant-to-plate series called Summer Fun at the Farm runs Saturdays at the Farm at the Arb through the harvest season. Visitors can harvest a different crop each week, enjoy cooking demos featuring the crop of the day, sample foods, play lawn games and more. This Saturday, Sept. 6, the farm events culminate with an extravaganza called Field Fest, presented by KWS Seeds. People can dig up a sugar beet, compete for largest beet and get a bag of sugar to take home – bringing the experience full circle.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mOjSEn
FFA: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Caldyn Huper has already had quite the FFA career, but he is looking to add yet another feather to his cap as his run comes to a close with the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October. Huper (pronounced Hipper), from the United South Central FFA Chapter based in Wells, Minn., is one of four finalists for the American Star in Agricultural Placement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UZceuP
STATE FAIR: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “One has to get psyched up to properly tackle the Minnesota State Fair. There is so much to do, so much to see, so much to eat. Where do you start? Just like a swim in a cool pool or lake — just jump right in. By the time you read this, the 2025 Minnesota State Fair will be in the books, but it’s never too early to plan your visit to the 2026 version. Check out the attached video for a whirlwind trip through the fair.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3HNkXgK
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows we slipped a bit – 13% of the state was abnormally dry, up from 3% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farmer in southwest Minnesota is not concerned about lodging as corn nears maturity. Bryan Biegler of Lake Wilson says the crop looks good. ‘What I’ve been out looking at seems to be rooted pretty well.’ He tells Brownfield harvest is still a few weeks away.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4g8BpVz
EGGS: Via news release from AEB, VERBATIM: “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently seeking nominees to serve on the American Egg Board (AEB) to fill four member and four alternate vacancies in AREA III the Western States area (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). They will serve a two-year term beginning March 2026 to March 2028.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p0mHUq
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DISTILLERY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “We visited a friend's cabin near Spooner, Wis. last week and, thanks to our hosts, discovered Perlick Distillery in nearby Sarona. What to expect: A bucolic setting with a cocktail room featuring barn doors and a large patio overlooking a family farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VAMsgA
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