MEETING: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “MCGA board member Blair Hoseth hosted State Senate Minority Leader @senatormarkjohnson at his family farm in Mahnomen. Also joining them were grower-leaders John Swanson and Dave Vipond and Minnesota Corn Public Policy Manager Alex Trunnell. During the visit, the group talked about the 2024 harvest, soil health, and more. Thanks to Senator Johnson for your support of Minnesota's family corn farmers!” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3Ct0ryO (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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SURVEY: From Joe Mahon via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “During the fall, harvests are typically the biggest concern on farmers’ minds. But even in parts of the Ninth District where crops look bountiful, crop prices that have been falling for the last two years were a bigger worry this year, according to an October survey of agricultural bankers by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis . . . Farm incomes across the region overwhelmingly fell, according to the survey, which asked about conditions from July through September. Spending on capital equipment also fell, though farm household purchases increased on balance. Tighter income pushed up demand for loans, while the rate of loan repayment dropped, and loan renewal and extension activity increased. Interest rates for agricultural loans dipped slightly. Land values and cash rents increased from a year earlier across district states. The outlook for the fourth quarter was pessimistic, with survey respondents expecting a further decrease in incomes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VhTaZp
SMITHFIELD: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “US pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. said it reached an agreement with Minnesota authorities over disputed child labor allegations. The maker of Farmland bacon and Farmer John sausages was accused by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry of employing 11 underage workers at its St. James facility at some point between 2021 and 2023, the company said in a statement. While Smithfield denied that it knowingly hired anyone under the age of 18, it decided to settle the dispute ‘in the interest of preventing the distraction of prolonged litigation.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UTkUTS
TRADE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of Iowa Farm Bureau is hopeful the next administration will be more proactive on trade. Brent Johnson says the Biden-Harris administration took a very passive approach. ‘Trade has been ignored, it’s been on the sidelines for way too long. And farmers from across the United States are certainly feeling that impact. So the Trump administration’s viewing on trade, I think their viewpoint is strong.’ He tells Brownfield it is concerning Trump’s campaign included a lot of tariff rhetoric.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YRdemj
MOORHEAD: From Dan Gunderson via MPR, VERBATIM: “Anheuser-Busch will close a malting operation in Moorhead and sell grain elevators in West Fargo and Sutton, N.D. The brewer announced it has reached an agreement with Rahr Malting Co. to take over the capacity of the Moorhead operation. The Moorhead malting facility opened in 1978 and processed millions of bushels of barley each year, shipping the prepared malt to brewing operations in St. Louis. Barley grown in Minnesota and North Dakota will instead be processed at Rahr’s Shakopee Malt House starting next year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48PfgrF
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NEXT WEEK: Via MFU, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from across the state will gather Nov. 22-24 for the 83rd annual Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention . . . The event begins on Friday afternoon with panel discussions. The discussions focus on food regulations surrounding selling products direct from the farm, finding funding for projects on your farm and what weather trends mean for farmers. On Saturday and Sunday, members debate the organization’s policy. The policy guides the organization’s advocacy work for the coming year.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ARx4Wk
MNLEG: From Minnesota Farmers Union via X, VERBATIM: “During our member legislative call this morning, we heard from @RepAngieCraig staffer Suzie Cavalier, #mnhouse Agriculture Lead Paul Anderson and Vice Chair Kristi Pursell (not pictured) to hear about legislative priorities at both the state and federal level.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4fNQpXr
LAND: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Farmland rental agreements will be the topic of free meetings presented by University of Minnesota Extension for landlords, farmers and agri-business professionals. David Bau and Nathan Hulinsky, Extension educators in ag business management, will provide several ways to determine a fair farmland rental rate for both landlords and farmers — by examples, fact sheets and worksheets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fOz7cz
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows only slight improvement over a week ago. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “To expand Minnesotans’ access to fresh and culturally appropriate foods, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened applications for its Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant. The GFAP grant helps grocery stores and small food retailers purchase equipment or make physical improvements that will allow them to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods (including produce) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O8vank
HIGHER ED: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced Tribal higher education opportunities and investments to train the next generation of agricultural professionals. During his remarks, Secretary Vilsack announced $5 million in grants to support Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities through the New Beginning for Tribal Students (NBTS) Program. These programs reflect USDA’s commitment to advance equity and remove barriers to service for Tribal Nations and encourage Tribal workforce development.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48UEGE3
PROJECTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is funding new projects in nearly every state to lower costs, expand access to clean energy and strengthen American farms and small businesses. USDA is making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a program that has seen record demand in response to historic funding provided by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hRXRTm
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MEDIA: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Brownfield Ag News broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp has been named the 2024 Minnesota Farm Bureau Ag Communicator of the Year. Dorenkamp will be honored during the organization’s 106th Annual Meeting on Nov. 22 in Minnetonka.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40NRVV6
INTERNSHIP: Via Aitkin Age, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Beef Council is looking for college students interested in the beef industry to be their Summer 2025 Communications Intern . . . The Minnesota Beef Industry summer intern will work with the Minnesota Beef Council Staff and Board of Directors to develop and implement beef education, communication and promotion activities throughout the summer. The intern will gain knowledge of beef industry programs and how their actions impact the beef industry in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hRu9O7
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