Minnesota Department of Agriculture Boosts Local Agriculture with $1.2M USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants In a bid to fortify the competitive edge of Minnesota-grown specialty crops, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has proudly allocated over $1.2 million in 2023 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants across 11 impactful projects. What Are Specialty Crop Block Grants?Continue reading “MDA Awards Over $1.2 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants”
Author Archives: mnirrgators
DNR Response to New APO Language
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent a response letter to IAM regarding the new Administrative Penalty Order Law that passed during the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session. The following is their response:
IAM President Talks MN Irrigation on Radio Farm Networks
IAM President, Jake Wildman, was a featured guest on the Red River Farm Network and the Linder Farm Network in August. With Minnesota in the middle of an extreme drought throughout the state, irrigation has been a hot topic in Minnesota agriculture. Wildman was welcomed by the Red River Farm Network on August 17, 2023,Continue reading “IAM President Talks MN Irrigation on Radio Farm Networks”
IAM Hosts Legislative Precision Irrigation Tour
The IAM Summer Legislative Precision Irrigation Tour took place on July 26th in Dakota County. The tour took a bus around SE MN showcasing the use of irrigation for varying commodities. The high temps prevented the tour from exiting the bus, but attendees did get to see a sod farm with a year-old crop. FromContinue reading “IAM Hosts Legislative Precision Irrigation Tour”
University of Minnesota Extension looking for Water Resources and Irrigation Educator
The University of Minnesota Extension is seeking a Water Resources and Irrigation Extension Educator. The educator will spend a substantial portion of their time focused on Extension education related to irrigation, although they will also work on other issues related to agriculture and water quality and quantity. This position is now posted on the UContinue reading “University of Minnesota Extension looking for Water Resources and Irrigation Educator”
Sand Plain Research Farm Irrigation and Nutrient Management Field Day
Much of Minnesota is currently in drought conditions, while others are facing unusually dry conditions. In dry seasons, water availability can become an issue later in the season for irrigation. Using irrigation scheduling tools and precision irrigation benefit the environment and improve farm profitability. The field day will be hosted by Sand Plain Research FarmContinue reading “Sand Plain Research Farm Irrigation and Nutrient Management Field Day”
Irrigation in Minnesota
IAM President, Jake Wildman, was a guest for the second episode of Sherburne SWCD’s brand new podcast about irrigation and farming in Sherburne County and greater Minnesota.Sherburne County SWCD Agricultural Conservationist and SWCD Podcast host, Miranda Wagner, led the discussion with other guests; IAM board member and President of the East Central Irrigators Association, RyanContinue reading “Irrigation in Minnesota”
Staples CLC Ag Center Irrigated Corn Yield Variation with a Flipped Center Pivot in 2022
Hannah Swartzentruber – Research Manager, CLC Ag & Energy Center- One certainty in farming is the fact that each year is different. Last growing season at the Ag and Energy Center, we observed this as a storm flipped over irrigators in the Wadena County area. This affected a couple of fields that we farm asContinue reading “Staples CLC Ag Center Irrigated Corn Yield Variation with a Flipped Center Pivot in 2022”
Minnesota Irrigator’s Fight Against Regulatory Challenges
In an article written by the Star Tribune on February 18th 2023, farmers were accused of excess pumping during the 2021 drought year. Additionally, they have made blanket statements that water use was excessive and that because of the drought, pollutants were more likely to potentially contaminate drinking water. The DNR has stopped approving wellContinue reading “Minnesota Irrigator’s Fight Against Regulatory Challenges”
Ryan Peterson, Joins the Irrigators Association of Minnesota (IAM) Board of Directors at their annual 2023 meeting and Convention at the Freeport Community Center on Feb 16th.
Ryan, a longtime irrigating farmer, and oldest son of former IAM president Alan Peterson, partners in the operation of the “A & L Peterson Farm” with his brother Nick and their mother Laurie and their families near Clear Lake, Minnesota. Earlier this week MCGA announced that Ryan’s brother Nick was elected to the Minnesota CornContinue reading “Ryan Peterson, Joins the Irrigators Association of Minnesota (IAM) Board of Directors at their annual 2023 meeting and Convention at the Freeport Community Center on Feb 16th.”
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