Agriculture

Of the $12 billion announced by the USDA for a new relief package for farmers, $11 billion will go to commodity crop producers, and $1 billion will go to fruit and vegetable producers.

Concentrated power in agriculture is a consistent rallying cry for small farmers, who say a handful of food producers are given too much leeway to control the marketplace.

The North Central Research and Outreach Center helped test our state fruit for winter hardiness, a step in its eventual release as the University of Minnesota's first apple variety.

Under a Minnesota law passed in 2023, all employees are entitled to one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to 48 hours a year.

By the fall of 2026, University of Minnesota researchers hope to have wrapped up their latest study into the sustainable aviation fuel movement and an in-demand biofuel.

Plus: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced it has $11 million to expand its innovative irrigation program; MnDOT staff will host an open house in Cloquet ahead of a planned 2028 project Thursday, Oct. 2; and Kootasca Community Action is gathering gently used costumes for Grand Rapids and I-Falls trick-or-treaters.

The five-year program will work on expanding conservation practices in irrigated agricultural land across Minnesota, with funds for ag producers available in late 2025.

State and federal agencies are partnering for a biological control effort to slow the spread of invasive emerald ash borer in the Chippewa National Forest.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has preliminarily decided to issue the permits, and comment is open until Sept. 10, 2025.

Six more horses were confirmed with the disease in short order in Fillmore, Lincoln, Wadena, Mille Lacs and Wabasha counties. Five of the seven have died.