Reminder! We're seeking public input on whether Minnesota rules adequately protect our natural resources from pollution allegedly resulting from neonicotinoid-treated seed use. Learn more and submit comments by July 31. 🔗www.mda.state.mn.us/neonic-treated-seed-public-comment

Today the Farm to School Institute presented the 2026 Cream of the Crop Awards to the winners in Hutchinson, MN. This is a statewide contest to celebrate school districts, early care centers, & family day cares who buy, serve, & promote food from MN Grown farmers and producers.

Come meet our outreach veterinarians if you're attending the Web Livestock Auction in Benson on Friday, July 10! Stop by their booth from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to pick up resources on antibiotic stewardship and drug residue prevention.

Chlorpyrifos - an active ingredient found in insecticides such as Pilot 4E, Warhawk, and Drexel Chlorpyrifos 4E - has reappeared in several Minnesota rivers and streams after two years with no detections. Info 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/docs/2024-02/waterbmpchlorpyrifos.pdf

In MN, anyone applying fertilizer for hire must be licensed with the MDA. Businesses that sell or apply fertilizer also need a license covering employees. Apply: https://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/erenewal/apply.jsp Requirements: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/fertilizer-licensing

Reminder: Applications are now open for our Down Payment Assistance Grant, and anyone interested in applying is invited to attend our informational webinar at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, 2026 to learn more. Info 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-helps-farmers-buy-their-first-farm

“I think crop art is where Minnesota’s agricultural heritage kind of meets its creative spirit,” said MDA staffer Erika Camplin. MN's crop art is on display in Washington, D.C. for America's 250th 🔗 www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/02/minnesota-crop-art-on-display-at-great-american-state-fair

As we head into Independence Day weekend, we at the MDA want to wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July! Our offices are closed today, Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the holiday.

The MDA & local Soil and Water Conversation Districts are hosting several nitrate testing clinics for private well owners this summer. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/free-well-water-testing-clinics-otter-tail-county 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/free-well-water-testing-clinics-southeast-minnesota

We're hosting a free waste pesticide collection event on July 16, 2026, in Clay County, MN. Farmers, residents, and businesses can safely dispose of up to 300 pounds of unwanted and unusable pesticides at no cost. Info 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-host-free-waste-pesticide-collection-event-0

Invasive species are often moved from place to place unintentionally by people unaware of their actions. Our latest Weed of the Month newsletter explores ways people can enjoy the outdoors while preventing their spread. Read more 🔗 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/bulletins/41e5c37

We plan to aerially manage 16 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Pine, and St. Louis counties in NE MN to slow the spread of spongy moth. It will likely take place July 14-17, 2026, depending on weather conditions. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-conduct-spongy-moth-aerial-management-northeast-minnesota

Our Green Fertilizer Grant is due July 15! This program could help kickstart green fertilizer production in MN, read more in this MPR story 📲 mprnews.org/story/2026/06/13/a-minnesota-grant-aims-to-kickstart-domestic-green-fertilizer-production & apply at www.mda.state.mn.us/green-fertilizer-program

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has issued import restrictions for dogs and cats from states with active New World screwworm infestations. Learn more 🔗 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/41e3ea6

Planning an Independence Day cookout? Or just picking up some chicken to cook for supper? Either way, follow these guidelines to make sure it's safe to purchase and consume.

Do you have a passion to support fellow farmers? Nominate yourself to be a Dept. of Agriculture Farm Service Agency county committee member. #LeadYourFSA fsa.usda.gov/coc

Recent rains didn't change the overall drought picture in MN, according to the Drought Center. In fact, 40% of MN is now in some form of drought, up from 37% last week. Severe drought remains located in north central MN and in the SW corner of the state. 🔗 https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

A new round of our Down Payment Assistance Grant program is opening, offering farmers up to $20k to help buy their first farm. Applications accepted 7/6/26-8/31/26. Awards issued to qualifying applicants via lottery. Info 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-helps-farmers-buy-their-first-farm

As we approach peak berry season in MN, a tiny pest threatens to ruin growers' hard work. On the latest episode of our Smarty Plants podcast, we'll zoom in on the spotted wing drosophila fly, and the work being done to keep our berries delicious. Listen now 🎧 www.mda.state.mn.us/smartyplants

Reminder: Over-the-top use of approved dicamba products (Engenia®, Stryax™, & Tavium®) on dicamba-tolerant soybeans ends June 30 for everywhere in MN north of Interstate 94. It ended June 12 for everywhere south of I-94. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/dicamba-general-information

Ready to expand into international markets? Join MDA and Food Export on for a full-day seminar covering export readiness, market research, pricing, trade agreements, and more. 📅 July 22 📍 Delta Hotels, Minneapolis 📲 Register at www.foodexport.org/events/exporter-education/seminars/g26edusem-mn/

Today is Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. It is a celebration of Black American culture, achievements & contributions to our society – made despite the lasting impact of chattel slavery and Jim Crow segregationist laws. Our offices are closed today to mark the holiday.

Applications are open to support Continuous Living Cover (CLC) Crop markets. This grant will accelerate CLC crop development chain by supporting infrastructure, business development, & equipment. Apply by 7/8/26: www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-opens-grant-accelerate-markets-continuous-living-cover-crops

Last week, the MDA's Food Safety Team received the Elliot O. Grosvenor Food Safety Award from the Association of Food and Drug Officials. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements made by the Food and Feed Safety Division at the MDA in food safety.

Today we kicked off the third cohort of the #FarmtoSchool Institute, where six school teams from across MN will develop action plans to bring more local foods into their cafeterias, classrooms, and communities! Learn more at https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/minnesota-farm-to-school-adapt/home

Reminder: Federal SBA disaster loan application deadline for losses caused by storms/winds on 6/21/25 is near for affected counties (Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau). Apply by 7/2/26 at www.sba.gov/disaster

We've recently expanded the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN), with three new stations installed in East Central MN to add coverage in an area where producers have needed more localized environmental data. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-expands-ag-weather-network-east-central-minnesota

What’s in Minnesota’s water? Each year, the MDA tests rivers, streams, and groundwater for 100+ pesticides. Dive into our 2025 Water Quality Monitoring Report to see what we found. 🌊 🚰🌍 🔗 https://wrl.mnpals.net/node/4414

We're accepting session proposals and speaker suggestions for the next Minnesota Organic Conference, taking place Jan. 7–8, 2027 in St. Cloud. Have a topic, research project, or farming practice to share? Learn more and submit your proposal by June 29 📲 www.mda.state.mn.us/moc-proposals

More than 90% of respondents to MN State's farm transition survey plan to transfer their farm to the next generation and 70% hope to do so within the next 7 years. Not sure where to start? Our Farm Link program & Farm Advocates can help. Learn more 📲 https://centerofagriculture.org/farm-transition/

Today, MDA Commissioners visited staff installing a new weather station near Pease, MN, hosted by Tim and Renae Braun. This is one of three new weather stations in East Central Minnesota collecting real time weather and soil information. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-ag-weather-network

Fertilizer is one of the largest input costs for many MN farmers. That's why we're making up to $3.8M available through our Green Fertilizer Grant Program to support local production of renewable fertilizer right here at home. 📲 www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-opens-green-fertilizer-grant-program-0

We're preparing to aerially manage 19 sites in SE MN counties of Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, & Winona 6/4-7/1 for spongy moth. Low-flying planes will apply a non-toxic substance w/ pheromones to disrupt mating. www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-conduct-spongy-moth-aerial-management-southeast-minnesota

New World screwworm (NWS), a serious animal health threat, has been detected in the United States in Texas and New Mexico. NWS is not a food safety or foodborne illness threat, and it is treatable. Find out more and keep up to date on our NWS resource page: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/nws

Looking to expand your processing capacity, improve food safety, or develop value-added agricultural products? Reminder that applications for our AGRI Value-Added Grants and Meat, Poultry, Egg & Milk Grants are due by 4 p.m. June 17. Learn more and apply: 🔗 www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/valueadded

This year's #FarmtoSchool Grant funding supports: 📚 59 school districts 🧸 11 early care centers 🏡 311 family child care providers These recipients will bring more local foods to kids while creating new markets for MN farmers. Learn more 🔗 www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-awards-expand-farm-school-programs

June is Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month! From leafy greens to peas, radishes, berries and more, Minnesota's growing season is underway and bringing fresh flavors to tables across the state. Celebrate by finding a farm, farmers market, CSA, or other local food business near you at MinnesotaGrown.com.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈We celebrate the LGBTQ+ producers who work tirelessly to feed our families and sustain our economy. Let’s keep showing up to support one another and create spaces where everyone can be their authentic selves. 🌻🐄 #PrideInAg #VisibilityMatters

The MN Legislature has removed the funding cap on our Beginning Farmer Tax Credit for 2026 transactions. All eligible asset owner applications that are completed & submitted by required deadlines can be approved this year. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/cap-lifted-2026-beginning-farmer-tax-credit

For the 7th consecutive year, farms enrolled in MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program showed stronger/more reliable profitability than non-certified farms, per MN State Agricultural Centers of Excellence. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-farmers-see-seven-straight-years-higher-profits

Happy National Turkey Lovers' Month! Minnesota is proud to be the nation's #1 turkey-producing state, thanks to the hard work of our family turkey farmers and industry partners. Join us in celebrating the farmers who help feed our state, nation, and world. #TurkeyLoversMonth #MNAg

A reminder that dicamba restrictions take effect in June for over-the-top use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans in MN. South of I-94, no applications allowed after June 12; north of I-94, no applications after June 30. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/reminder-june-dicamba-restrictions-2026-growing-season

June's Weed of the Month is stiltgrass, an annual plant that forms dense, tangled mats, 1-3 feet high. It has not yet been reported in MN, but has been observed in WI. It grows along forest edges, wetlands, and disturbed areas. 🔗 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/bulletins/41a0ca0

We have confirmed emerald ash borer (#EAB) in a new part of Kandiyohi County. This requires expanding the quarantine zone to include all of the county to limit movement of firewood & ash material out of the area. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/emerald-ash-borer-quarantine-expanding-kandiyohi-county

We kicked off #NationalDairyMonth today at our offices in St. Paul with a visit from the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Malorie Thorson from Waverly. She stopped by to help serve our staff ice cream treats over the lunch hour. Thanks, Malorie!

It’s #NationalDairyMonth! Help us celebrate MN’s dedicated farmers & industry partners who ensure a safe, abundant supply of milk & dairy products. Each June, we recognize herds with the highest quality milk. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food-feed/minnesota-dairy-herds-low-somatic-cell-counts-scc

Looking to expand access to higher ethanol blends at your fuel station? Reminder that applications for the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Program are due Tuesday, June 2 at 4p. MN fuel retailers can learn more, apply & explore past projects at www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/agri-biofuels-infrastructure

Want to develop supply chains, markets, & more for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cover cropping systems in Minnesota? Apply now through July 8, 2026 for our CLC grant and help protect the soil. 🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-opens-grant-accelerate-markets-continuous-living-cover-crops

The State of MN’s Taiwan Office has partnered with ABV Bar & Kitchen in Taipei to bring a taste of MN to a global audience! Stay up to date with MDA’s international marketing team, subscribe to their newsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MNMDA_643

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed the final bills of the legislative session into law, including funding for the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, a Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit, & money to repair our East Grand Forks Potato Testing Facility. We're thankful to the legislators for their support.