Improving Your Process, Enhancing Your Products, Increasing Your Profits
While many producers respect the seed laws, there are some who seek to gain an unfair advantage. The Farmers’ Yield Initiative works to encourage compliance with existing seed laws.
Please consider submitting a confidential tip to help put a stop to illegal seed trade by calling 479-368-0555.
For more information, visit Farmers Yield Initiative: https://www.farmersyield.com.
Friendly reminders to MCIA Seed Laboratory clients:
If you haven’t submitted your seed samples to the MCIA Seed Laboratory for testing, do so now!
Verifying that seed standards are met is one of the last steps in the certification process.
Germination tests take at least seven days, and HPLC for wheat and oat variety ID testing can sometimes take longer. Rush service can be requested.
Be sure the information on your Sampling Report is complete and accurate.
Each year, there are some growers from whom we do not initially receive all the information necessary to complete field inspection. In those cases, we need to do follow-up work. So, as the planting season begins, we remind field inspection clients to keep accurate records and:
Questions? Contact your MCIA field supervisor or the MCIA Office staff for answers. Our contact information is listed on the Staff page of the MCIA website.
Please note these dates to avoid late fees:
Information packets for Field Inspection Applications will be mailed to enrolled MCIA members in May. Application forms and instructions are also available on the Client Resources page of the MCIA website.
If you have any questions, please contact your field supervisor. (Field supervisor contact information is listed on the Staff page of the MCIA website.)
Reposted from MDA’s Weed of the Month Series
By Maya Sarkar, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
It’s been a warm winter in Minnesota and our plant life is celebrating spring early this year. While it’s still fairly quiet in the plant world compared to our main summer growing season, it’s a great time to get started on controlling some invasive plant species.
Invasive plant management occurs throughout the year and depends on the growth, habit, and lifecycle of the species. Plant types include woody, herbaceous annual, herbaceous biennial, or herbaceous perennial plants.
While accessibility is one planning factor for treatment, there are numerous other considerations, including:
The following is a helpful general treatment guideline for the seasons when it comes to general characteristics of an invasive species, including growth, habit, and lifecycle.
Each season has unique weed management techniques that can be used to control noxious weeds.
Additional online resources:
Those wanting to grow and process hemp in Minnesota in 2024 must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. To date, about 113 people have applied for an MDA license. A license from the MDA is required for individuals and businesses.
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, and a license is valid for the 2024 calendar year.
The application can be found on the MDA website: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/hemp. Along with the online form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only.
The hemp grower or processor application is not for the growth or sale of adult-use or medical cannabis. The application is also not intended for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Adult-use cannabis information can be found on the Office of Cannabis Management website: https://cannabis.state.mn.us. Information related to medical cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoid products can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/cannabis/index.html.
Growers and processors need to be aware of the following for 2024:
Questions about the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Program should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6600.
Background
Industrial hemp and marijuana are both types of the same plant, Cannabis sativa. They differ by the concentration level of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) within the plant. Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, and levels above that are considered marijuana.
Minnesota operated under a hemp pilot program from 2016–2020. In 2021, the program began operating under a new, federally-approved state plan that governs production and regulation. Minnesota Industrial Hemp Program Licensing and Acreage Statistics are available on the 2023 Hemp Program Annual Report: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/docs/2024-03/2023_MDA_Hemp_Program_Report.
The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has posted a new Transitional Production Plan (TPP) template on the AMS website. This new public resource was developed under the Organic Transition Initiative’s (OTI) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
The TPP template helps new crop producers who are transitioning to organic production to develop the supporting documentation needed to qualify for OTI services provided through the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The template will also help transitioning farmers learn how to document their organic practices in preparation for the Organic System Plan (OSP) process required when they apply for certification. By learning these practices and documenting their use of materials, farmers can feel more confident that they are on the right track early in the process.
Use of the transitional plan will ultimately streamline the organic transition process and help producers take advantage of all USDA programs more easily. For example, the TPP can serve as OSP documentation when applying for transitional crop insurance through RMA and may also meet some of the application requirements for the Conservation Activity Plan 138 under the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s Organic Initiative.
The transitional plan can also be used by producers who are not using prohibited substances and are implementing practices that are expected to lead to compliance with the USDA organic regulations. When the TPP is reviewed and signed by a USDA-accredited certifier, the operation will be listed as transitional in the Organic Integrity Database. The transitional operation status will be visible to certifiers and USDA employees, including RMA staff reviewing eligibility for organic transitional crop insurance. Transitional operation status is not publicly available.
View the Transitional Production Plan: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/TransitionalProductionPlanCrops.pdf.
About the Organic Transition Initiative
The Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) is a $300 million multi-agency USDA effort to provide comprehensive support for farmers transitioning to organic production. This initiative delivers wrap-around technical assistance, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring; provides direct support through conservation financial assistance and additional crop insurance assistance, and supports market development projects in targeted markets.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency are the primary agencies supporting the initiative. AMS leads the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP): https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/topp.
Network with ag leaders at the 26th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) on April 10, 2024, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This year’s WALC theme “Elevate–Empower–Evolve” will focus on developing and uplifting women in agriculture and giving them tools to deal with an ever-changing industry.
“Every year we hear from attendees that this is a unique event because it brings together people from all areas of agriculture—production, industry, education, etc.—to help each participant grow and evolve,” said Doris Mold, conference co-founder. “Our program empowers leaders with a balance of personal and professional development programming covering timely, relevant topics. We’re bringing together some amazing speakers to share their stories of resilience.”
Attendees will be welcomed to the conference by Emma Kuball, Princess Kay of the Milky Way, before being inspired by stories of Women who Elevate, Empower, and Evolve. Featured panelists are Colette Campbell, Chief Talent Acquisition and Diversity Officer, Bremer Bank; Theresia Gillie, Kittson County Commissioner and Owner of Theresia Gillie Farms; Deeann Lufkin, Owner and Head Cheesemaker, CannonBelles Cheese; and Lillian Otieno, Director, Emerging Farmers Office, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
A highlight of the conference is the recognition of the 2024 Outstanding Agriculture Mentors. This award is in its 22nd year and recognizes people who have been positive mentors and role models for people in agriculture, especially women.
The day also includes mini sessions focused on current topics, two breakout sessions, and an opportunity to visit the Farm at the Arb’s newest feature, the Myers Education Center Kitchen Classroom, for a cooking demonstration by Chef Beth Fisher.
Participants can choose from 10 different breakout topics, including:
The conference is open to individuals with an interest in women’s agricultural leadership regardless of gender, age, or affiliation. Register by March 31, 2024, for a discounted rate.
The Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference is made possible by Innovator Sponsorship Partner—Ag Country Farm Credit Services; along with Major Sponsorship Partners—Compeer Financial, CoBank, Farm Credit Leasing, U.S. Bank; Key Sponsorship Partner—Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence; Sponsorship Partners—Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Soybean Research Promotion Council; and many other conference partners and volunteers.
For the full conference brochure and more information, visit: www.womensagleadership.org. Please reach out to Doris Mold with any questions you may have. She can be contacted at 612-414-7574 or doris@sunriseag.net.
By Brad Barth, Board Chairman
Hello everyone, it is close to the end of the winter here in Minnesota and I am just wondering, has anyone seen winter? It seems to have missed us. Usually, we are all either ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, or shoveling and cursing. Not so much in the winter of 23/24. No matter what type of winter you’ve had, I am sure we all are looking forward to spring.
On January 24, 2024, MCIA held its 121st Annual Meeting in St Cloud. It was an excellent gathering with great sponsors, outstanding speakers, and wonderful times networking with our fellow seed professionals. I would like to recognize Fawad and the great staff at MCIA and thank them for organizing such an excellent event. A special thanks to all the sponsors and the members who attended.
On behalf of the Boad of Directors I am pleased to report that MCIA is in good financial standing and looks poised to stay strong for the near and distant future. As with all companies there are times when it appears that the year may not meet expectations. Revenues could be down and expenses soaring, but the company and employees dig deep and right the ship as it sails into a prosperous end to the year. Well, MCIA has had those times too, but the hard work of the excellent staff and the loyalty of the members seems to always bring this organization out on top with a little profit to spare.
MCIA has been blessed to acquire some excellent staff members in the past year or two and is currently fully staffed. Few organizations can make that claim. That being said, the organic department is growing every year and will soon need to add staff.
I am sure you have all heard that Roger Wippler has retired. I was very happy to see him there for another yearly meeting, allowing us all a chance to visit with him one last time. I heard from the staff that it has taken quite some time to clean out Roger’s office as there were 34-plus years of memories in there. Truly, Roger, I tip my hat to you and your excellent career here at MCIA. You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts.
Roger has left us with an excellently trained, hardworking, and resourceful young man by the name of Carl Anfinson. I have had many conversations with Carl and can tell you that he will do an excellent job for MCIA. If you have any questions about foundation seed in the future, well, Carl is your man.
2024 is almost a quarter gone and I am still writing 2023 on my checks. As surely as time flies, MCIA we will always have personnel transitions, such as retirements, relocations, and family changes, but we always find new employees to keep the organization running smoothly. I want to welcome all the staff members who joined MCIA over the past year. I hope they can make MCIA their career. You’ll only need to work here 35 years to beat Mr. Wippler!
I hope that you all have a safe and prosperous 2024.
By Chase Mowry, Seed Laboratory Manager
And so, it began. . . .
With spring comes a daunting workload for a seed analyst. As one expects, samples have started to roll in for testing. Because of this, I will keep the lab update short and sweet so that I can get back to testing and stay afloat.
In terms of samples received, we are two to three weeks ahead of where we were at this time last year. Overall, purities and germination tests have continued to be of high quality, except, perhaps, for some drought-stressed soybeans. Diseased seed has also continued to be minimal.
Except for a written SCST proficiency test due in May, we have submitted all other tests for the year. The lab recently received a new microscope and magnifying lens with light for conducting purity and noxious exams. We are still awaiting a new germination chamber.
As no two days are the same in the lab, we hope sample throughput remains high to provide you with results in a timely manner.
