Minnesota Department of Agriculture

MDA opens applications for the Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant

August 24, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant. The grant supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations of practices that could help make farming more profitable or resource-efficient. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $350,000 through the grant program. Applicants may request up

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Fall nitrogen restrictions begin September 1

August 19, 2026

Minnesota’s fall nitrogen fertilizer restrictions in vulnerable groundwater areas take effect September 1. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding producers to confirm whether their fields fall within restricted zones and to monitor soil temperatures closely where fall application is allowed. Under the Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in designated vulnerable

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MDA schedules public input sessions ahead of budget discussions at the next legislative session

August 7, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering ideas as the agency considers the state’s next biennial budget. Farmers, businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are all invited to share policy, funding, and program suggestions. The MDA is hosting two virtual public input sessions where people can share their ideas directly. This

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Minnesota celebrates Farmers’ Market Week

July 30, 2026

Minnesotans are invited to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season during National Farmers Market Week, August 2-8. Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed the week Farmers’ Market Week in Minnesota, joining the nationwide celebration of farmers’ markets and the farmers, vendors, and communities that make them possible. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering

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Minnesota farmers see seven straight years of higher profits

June 4, 2026

Farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) continue to show stronger and more reliable profitability than non‑certified farms, according to new data from the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence. The findings reinforce a clear, long‑term trend: For the seventh consecutive year, MAWQCP‑certified farms reported higher gross cash farm income and

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