FARM CAMP: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Last month, Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council member Brandon Fast hosted students from Immanuel Lutheran School during a tour as part of the Farm Camp Minnesota program. The initiative is a program of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom. Through the corn checkoff, Minnesota Corn has been a longtime support of Ag in the Classroom.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4kxX6jd MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3HsLpM2 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
DISASTER RELIEF: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture Director of Communications Seth W. Christensen today released a statement calling out Congressional Democrats for politicizing disaster aid for farmers in need across the country.” CHRISTENSEN: “Congressional Democrats are playing politics with disaster aid, withholding critical funding from farmers to manufacture controversy and blame the Trump Administration—when in reality, they’re pushing to misuse taxpayer dollars. Secretary Rollins is working in good faith to deliver relief quickly and responsibly. USDA has met weekly with eligible states, offering flexible options and clear guidance to avoid duplicating existing federal programs. Some states, led by partisan officials, have refused to engage. They’re not just denying aid to their own farmers—they’re now delaying relief for producers nationwide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dS5J5E
MORE: Via Agri-Pulse, VERBATIM: “Christensen was apparently referring to Democratic lawmakers’ criticism of the way Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has been implementing a block grant program that makes up barely more than 1% of the $21 billion in disaster aid. In response to requests for more specific information from USDA, the department’s communications office sent the same statement from Christensen. Twenty-nine members of Congress from Hawaii and New England issued a statement Monday accusing Rollins of delaying implementation of the block grant program designed for small states, known as the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jEP4DW
FUNDING: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Weed Science Society of America is urging lawmakers to consider the consequences of federal funding cuts to agriculture. Hilary Sandler, an Extension Professor Emerita with the University of Massachusetts, is president of the Society . . . During a recent visit to Washington D.C., she tells Brownfield members of the Weed Science Society told key ag committee legislators and staffers the funding cuts could jeopardize that work.” SANDLER: “Because people in, say USDA, were being terminated. Grants were being paused or eliminated, and this impacts our research as well as our education of our graduate students.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TbmGhL
LFPA: Via MPR, an interview with a farmer whose southern Minnesota farm was devastated by flooding last year. VERBATIM: “What saved the farm was a federal food aid initiative called the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, or LFPA. It provides grants to schools, food shelves, senior centers and other groups that feed the hungry so they can buy produce from local farmers. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says the state received $8.14 million from the Biden administration last year for the program. The MDA then awarded 55 grants awarded to non-profit organizations, tribes and government entities, to purchase food sourced from more than 180 farmers and suppliers statewide, including Zimmerli’s Cedar Crate Farm . . . Minnesota had signed an agreement for about $4.7 million for another round of the federal LFPA program. But the Trump administration eliminated the program in March.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kOKVy3
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor out this morning, which reflects data as of Tuesday, shows no significant change – 15% of the state remains in drought, with 71% abnormally dry or worse. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Looking back at precipitation totals over the past 30 days, the current drought conditions closely reflect the limited rainfall the northern portions of the state have received. Central and southern Minnesota received 2 to as much as 6 to 8 inches of rainfall, while northern Minnesota recorded only about one-half inch to 2 inches.” READ/MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4mLOoPT
CRAIG: Via Agri-Pulse, VERBATIM: “This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Representative Angie Craig, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. The Minnesota Democrat stands in strong opposition to the House Reconciliation Act that took billions of dollars from the SNAP program to make room for tax cuts and adds to the nation's budget deficit. Craig opposes the Trump administration's use of tariffs and doesn't believe the nation's farm economy can withstand the economic challenges presented by reciprocal tariffs from offended trading partners. Craig says change to farm and food programs should come from regular order in Congress and not from the MAHA Commission.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kQYT2n
RECALL: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Wiste’s Meat Market of Janesville, MN is voluntarily recalling three meat products that may have become adulterated due to improper processing procedures and which were produced without inspection. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) inspectors discovered during a routine inspection that 116 pounds of product had been produced without an approved process and without the required state inspection to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the product.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45LmIEt
PROP 12: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The National Pork Producers Council continues to push for a federal solution to Proposition 12. NPPC immediate past president Lori Stevermer says Prop 12 has been a prominent issue the entire time she’s served on the national board.” STEVERMER: “Regardless of what you’ve done with your farm and who you talk to, the big concern is the patchwork of regulations that would come if there’s not some type of a federal preemption to Prop 12.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zj5Cde
WATER: Via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison is announcing his appointments to the Advisory Task Force on Future of Minnesota’s Water. Ellison says the Task Force includes both DFL and Republican lawmakers, representatives from state agencies, as well as members of the public representing agriculture, tribal communities, businesses, and local regulators, in addition to advocates and experts in the areas of water quality and conservation.” ELLISON: “Our focus is not regulation, it’s imagination. The goal is not to point fingers or assign blame, but to collect and explore the best thinking around what’s possible for us as stewards of Minnesota’s water. Task Force members include both DFLers and Republicans, come from all areas of the state, and represent a diverse array of communities with interests in and expertise on the issue of water. I look forward to everything this Task Force will contribute to the preservation of our essential water resources for generations to come.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kv2wLN
MANURE: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “While often unrecognized, Minnesota livestock farmers in recent decades have made steady improvements in the way manure is stored and applied to fields. The results include fewer contaminated runoff events and improved nutrient use by crops. Better manure management begins with storage. Modern livestock farms collect and store manure in engineered structures designed to minimize the risk of manure spills. The ability to store manure also allows for better timing of manure applications on cropland, which means farmers can avoid seasons when runoff and/or nutrient losses are more likely.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZRB16E
HARVEST: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The first alfalfa harvest of the season is going smoothly in Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says growers typically begin the first cut toward the end of May and beginning of June.” NICOLAI: “So we’re not too atypical in terms of (timing). But certainly around this area and eastern Minnesota I’ve seen quite a bit of alfalfa with the first cut.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45dwcsa
MARKET: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “‘Tis the season for fresh produce, and the Twin Cities has several popular farmers markets where you can get your fruit and veggie fix—and starting this summer, a new addition will make its way onto the lineup. Launching June 12, the Uptown Farmers Market will run on Thursdays (through Sept. 25) from 4-8 p.m. along Lake Street and the Girard Avenue Plaza in South Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood. The goal? Bring people from across the community together to shop small, supporting local farmers and Uptown’s small businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FJaD8m
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)
FEEDLOTS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking input on an update to its animal feedlot rules, which regulate about 17,000 sites in the state. It's been 25 years since the last big update. The main purpose of this rulemaking is to amend existing feedlot rules to improve land application of manure practices to address nitrate and fish kills and establish additional technical standards to protect water quality and avoid fish kills, according to the MPCA. This rulemaking also updates the rule to address changes in livestock and poultry operation/business practices, account for new agency data services, and modernize outdated rule language.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fu72Lo
PORK: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Merck Animal Health technical services veterinarian Dr. Brett O’Brien says despite most breeding herds being infected with some form of influenza, pork producers are often unaware of the impact and ways to manage the viruses. She tells Brownfield Merck has developed a playbook to address the problem.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45MB3k7
TOMATOES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Bushel Boy, the hydroponic grower of year-round tomatoes in the northern clime of Owatonna, Minn., has been sold to a new owner and operator. Bushel Boy Farms President Chuck Tryon said the company was sold to Best Boy Farms on Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZQYXXR
FARM TO SCHOOL: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Extension Educators Ryan Pesch and Brigid Tuck recently collaborated on an evaluation of farm-to-school spending in partnership with IATP, a nonprofit organization that supports farm-to-school initiatives in the state. The report provides useful data not only to decision-makers but also to farmers who are eyeing schools as potential customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43zn4wA
JET FUEL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar wants to help Midwest corn farmers tap into new lucrative tax credits aimed at making airplane fuel more climate friendly. But some environmentalists worry her proposal could make climate change worse. The tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, is available for any fuel manufacturer that can show their product is at least 50% less carbon intensive than today’s petroleum-based jet fuel. The credit has mobilized universities and major companies like Cargill to explore a bevy of alternative fuels, including hydrogen gas, ethanol and even recycled cooking oil. That has presented Minnesota farmers with a unique business opportunity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jv9Rtu
(DISCLOSURE: Delta Air Lines is a Fluence client)
MARL: Via Farm Forum, VERBATIM: “Brad Schloesser said no 10 times to an invitation to apply to the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program. As a teacher and a parent, there was too much he didn’t want to miss. ‘And then the 11th time — what a yes it was!’ Schloesser, a MARL Class 11 (2020-2022) alum and St. Peter resident, has stewarded the program as its executive director since 2022.” SCHLOESSER: “MARL has been a tremendous growth experience for me and hundreds of others,” he says. “I was in agriculture for 40 years, and it just opened up so many doors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZfZJ0w
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
1995: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “A derecho is a straight-line windstorm of severe and destructive magnitude that is spawned by a mesoscale convective complex (family) of severe thunderstorms. It usually cuts a wide swath of damage across the landscape . . . Fortunately, Minnesota derechos are somewhat rare, occurring only every five to seven years and almost exclusively in June, July or August . . . On July 12-13, 1995, Minnesota was under the grip of a heat wave brought by the combination of high temperatures (90 degrees F or greater) and high dew points (75 degrees F to 80 degrees F), which produced heat index values ranging from 105 degrees F to 117 degrees F. The atmosphere was unstable, producing organized thunderstorms across the entire northern tier of states from Montana east through South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, and as far east as Pennsylvania.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ku7qbJ
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