Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson visited Crookston on Tuesday to check out the work being done at the Ag Innovation Campus site on Ingersoll Avenue. Peterson met with members of the Ag Innovation team, along with Crookston Mayor Dale Stainbrook and City Administrator Amy Finch.
Commissioner Peterson also discussed the Epitome Energy project and the drought and assistance that may be provided to local farmers in Northwest Minnesota.
AG INNOVATION CAMPUS
Commissioner Peterson first stopped by the Ag Innovation Campus Office in downtown Crookston to discuss the project and steps that are currently taking place. It was also a time for Peterson to ask questions and get more familiar with the details of the project. After that, he went out and visited the site himself.
For Commissioner Peterson, it was the first time he has been able to come out and look at the new site, and he said he believes the new campus will be a great benefit to the City of Crookston. “Really glad to come out here and see the progress being made,” said Peterson. “It’s really great to see all the dirt being moved out here, and this is going to add a lot of value to farmers’ crops, especially the Soybean market. It will also add to other potential crops in the future, so I think it’s really going to be a win-win situation for the City of Crookston.”
The completion of the project is set for some time in the summer of 2022. The new facility will create at least 25 new jobs for the community and create great opportunities for local farmers. The site is located right off Ingersoll Avenue and Highway 75 in Crookston.
The facility will also be looking into different ways to use renewable energy and more effective ways to utilize the bio-diesel process. In the meantime, Ag Innovation will continue to try and build their buyers’ market in the coming months.
EPITOME ENERGY
Commissioner Peterson also discussed Epitome Energy and hopes to get that project up and running as soon as possible. “I think It’s really coming along; it was slow, to begin with, because of Covid, but the process is going forward and starting to accelerate a little bit,” said Peterson. “To me, having the Ag Innovation Campus get started should also help the Epitome Energy project continue to move forward.”
CEO of Epitome Energy Dennis Egan will be visiting Crookston in September to update the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority on permit requests and how the project is moving along.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Commissioner Peterson also visited Crookston back in July with Governor Tim Walz to discuss the drought and its impact on farmers.
He discussed today what steps are in place and how they are moving forward with assisting farmers. “My other reason for being in Crookston today was the continued work in the assistance to farmers with the drought,” said Peterson. “Livestock farmers don’t have the same safety net as crop farmers, and even with the crop farmers, their insurance will help but certainly won’t make them whole. We’re working on a special session in September where we possibly could receive some grants that may help with water and hauling livestock feed.”
Peterson also noted some steps have been put into place already and will continue as long as the drought persists. “Governor Walz has also continued to waive hours of service for truck drivers transporting Hay and feed,” said Peterson. “So those things are in place and will continue to find ways to try and help as we move forward.”
Commissioner Peterson will be visiting another farm in the Northwest area later today to look at the conditions and discuss the impact further.
