The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) will be hosting six District Meetings around the state this fall. These meetings are free and open to all farmers.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for farmers to become better acquainted with recent activities of MCGA, as well as hear about what lies ahead for agriculture in Minnesota. There will also be a question and answer session with state MCGA staff and farmer leaders.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Farmfest, the largest outdoor farm show in Minnesota, wrapped up its three-day 2016 show last Thursday. Once again there was a strong presence by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA).
On Tuesday, MCGA sponsored “Ag Innovation Day,” which featured panel discussions, as well as a presentation by Minnesota 4-H student teams. These teams were some of the top finishers in 4-H’s Science of Agriculture challenge.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
John and Jewell Peterson, and their kids Nate, Nic and Natasha, all enthusiastically joined the Minnesota Discovery Farms program six years ago. The family produces corn and soybeans in North Branch and for decades they have worked hard to conserve soil and prevent nutrients from running into the St. Croix River watershed.
“The data shows we are doing a pretty good job with the no-till,” says John Peterson.
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) will once again have a strong presence at Farmfest 2016, which will be held next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Gillfillan Estate, near Morgan.
Visitors can stop by the MCGA tent on the corner of Seed Road and Seventh Street to renew their association membership (or become a new member), learn more about MCGA’s 2016 Innovation Grant recipients, ask questions about the MCGA-sponsored Nitrogen Smart program,
Written by Nicole Krumrie, MCGA intern
When some people think of scientists, they think of someone wearing goggles and a white lab coat. When some think about a farmer, they tend to think of an older man wearing jean coveralls and a straw hat with a piece of hay hanging out of his mouth.
What many don’t consider is that a farmer is a scientist in their field every day.
Written by Noah Hultgren
Minnesota Corn Growers Association President
A statewide editorial that appeared in ECM publications the week of June 24 called on agriculture to take the lead on managing pollutants. As farmers, we’re always working to improve how we grow food, feed, fiber and fuel for an increasing world population.
And when it comes to the important issue of water quality and managing pollutants, farmers are already playing an important leadership role.
Written by Haleigh Ortmeier-Clarke, Minnesota Corn Growers Association intern
Organic farming gets a lot of attention, both good and bad. As someone who comes from a traditional farming background with genetically modified crops and pesticides, I am usually quick on the defensive when it comes to a discussion around organics.
My eyes were opened by Carolyn Olson and Emily Zweber at the CommonGround volunteer training on June 24, at the Minnesota Corn office in Shakopee.
“Climate change increasingly poses one of the biggest long-term threats to investments.”
— Christiana Figueres (Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
The battle with climate change comes with a battle with uncontrollable, unpredictable weather. University of Minnesota’s Dr. Tim Griffis is looking at giving farmers a head start.
“Nobody can know the future,” Griffis said, “But we need the best data and models possible for making informed decisions about the future.”
Funded partly by the Minnesota Corn Research &
The next generation of agricultural innovators were on full display at last week’s Minnesota 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge.
A total of 14 teams participated in this year’s Challenge, which is a first-of-its-kind program created by the University of Minnesota Extension that encourages teams of youth to develop solutions to common problems facing today’s farmers. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association is a proud supporter of the Challenge.
First place went to The Hot Shots from Dakota County for a project titled “Infiniheat.”
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Jared Nordick, 38, rented his first 65 acres from a neighbor when he was 15 years old. Right from the get-go, he practiced land stewardship side by side with his father Gerald, who learned how to care for the land from his dad.
The father-son team planted trees for a shelter belt to reduce wind erosion and tended to buffers and grass waterways. Nordick was among the first farmers certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Water Quality Certification Program.