|
| | ||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSSTAND LOCATIONS | ||||
| ||||
|
|
| | |
Minnesota regional news and notes Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rural Advantage plans special events this summer
FAIRMONT, Minn. -- Rural Advantage is sponsoring a series of Third Crop Walk-N-Talks this summer. Sixteen field days and events are planned from June through September.
The events start June 18, with a Growing Bioenergy Crops day from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Southern Experiment and Outreach Center in Waseca. Others on the schedule include a July 1 Wheat Day on the Jim Stangler farm in Kilkenny from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Other Rural Advantage events are planned July 8 at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minneapolis; July 15, on Seven Story Farm, Belle Plaine; July 27, Seven Mile Creek Park, St. Peter; July 30, Sheek, Inc., Sherburn; Aug. 10, Winterhaven Vineyard and Nursery, Janesville; Aug. 11, Southwestern Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton; Aug. 14, Prairie Horizons Farm, Benson; Aug. 21, Willow Lake Farm, Windom; Sept. 3, Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area, Wilder; Sept. 10, SROC in Waseca; and Sept. 26, Norman Erickson property, Lake City.
Corn growers say market uncertainty is big threat
SHAKOPEE, Minn. -- Minnesota corn producers view market uncertainty and uniformed public perception of agriculture as the two biggest threats facing corn growers, according to a recent on-line survey conducted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
More than 800 producers participated in the survey, which was designed to allow growers to share their opinions about the opportunities and threats facing MCGA in the coming months and years.
Participants were entered in a random drawing for gift cards.
Card winners include Mark Harless, Borup; Roger Krueger, Sauk Rapids; Richard Linscheid, Butterfield; Roger Teerink, Worthington; and Arlin Zuidema, Bloomkest.
MDA seeking to fill spots on organic advisory board
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking to fill 15 seats on the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force, which was reauthorized by the Legislature.
The OATF advises the commissioner of agriculture and the University of Minnesota about policies and programs that will improve organic agriculture in the state.
Organic Advisory Task Force members serve two-year terms and the task force must include three farmers using organic agriculture methods, one representative of organic certification agencies, one wholesaler or distributor of organic products, two organic processors, one organic product retailer, one representative of the Extension Service, one University of Minnesota faculty member, one representative from a non-profit organization representing farmers; one organic consumer representative; and two public at-large members.
The group meets about four times annually.
Applications are available by calling 1-877-551-6767.
Little Rock Wind, National Wind reach deal
ORTONVILLE, Minn. -- Little Rock Wind, along with managing partner National Wind, have closed on an asset purchase agreement with community-owned wind project Big Stone Wind.
The acquired assets involve development capital, land rights, an 80-meter meteorological tower and historical wind data, and various in-progress development assets.
Little Rock Wind is a community-wind energy company formed by National Wind and nine local landowners and business people. The company expects to use the assets in the on-going development of its 150-megawatt community wind project in Big Stone County.
Jamie May hired by American Angus Association
RANDOPLH, Minn. -- Jamie May of Randolph has been hired as a summer communications intern by the American Angus Association.
May will help the communications department by traveling to shows, publicizing Angus events, taking photographs and writing press releases. She also will attend the National Junior Angus Show in Perry, Ga.
May is a student at North Dakota State University in Fargo, where she is pursuing a dual major in agriculture communications and advertising with a minor in animal science.
May's parents are Mark and Ann May.
Tending Your Forest class in Rochester June 23
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A Growing and Tending Your Forest class will be held June 23 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the Assisi Heights Conference Center in Rochester.
Professional foresters will discuss the many ways to make forests better, creating new forest land and regenerating a mature forest through harvesting.
The instructors are Angela Gupta, Extension forester, and Kurt Hinz, Department of Natural Resources forester in Rochester.
The cost is $20 and pre-registration is appreciated. For more information or to register, call Mary Jane Stearns at 1-888-241-4536.
MDA has help for agribusiness product exporters
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Department of Agriculture wants agribusinesses to take advantage of upcoming seminars on exporting food or agriculture products.
Minnesota ranks seventh among states exporting ag products, with exports growing at an average of 8.8 percent annually.
The first seminar is June 25 in the Embassy Suites Hotel Minneapolis - Airport. The discussion will center on opportunities specific to the Chinese food market and the federal assistance programs available to help exporters break into new markets.
The second event is a Midwest Buyers Mission, which is scheduled July 21-24 at the same location.
MDA setting 27,000 gypsy moth traps this year
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is setting nearly 27,000 gypsy moth taps across eastern Minnesota this spring as part of its annual program to monitor forests and urban areas for new infestations by the destructive tree pest.
Unlike the recently discovered infestation of emerald ash borers in St. Paul ash trees, the gypsy moth is a familiar threat to trees. For nearly 30 years, MDA has been eradicating "start-up'' infestations and delaying a full-scale invasion of the state's forests.
DNR, Blandin Paper Co. ink deal for land
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Blandin Paper Company have signed a binding agreement for the purchase of a working forest conservation easement to forever protect 187,277 acres of Northwoods forests, wetlands and shoreline currently owned by UPM.
The agreement includes a closing date in 2010 when Lessard Outdoor Heritage funds will be fully available for the project. |
| | |
| |
Copyright 2009 Agri News
All Rights Reserved
