The AgBMP Loan Program provides needed funding for local implementation of clean water practices at an extremely low cost, is unique in its structure, and is not duplicated by any other source of funding. The AgBMP loan program provides 3% loans through local lenders to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. Funds are used for proven practices that prevent non-point source water pollution or solve existing water quality problems.
To enhance fair visitors' ability to view local artwork at the Freeborn County Fair, by installing track lighting and purchasing new display cases for 2-D and 3-D exhibits in the Creative Arts and Crafts building. Funds will also be used to bring new programming to the fair. Ben Franklin will live at the fair and converse with visitors, bringing with him historically accurate replicas of furniture, clothing, and cookware. Visitors can watch or participate in building a log cabin with turn of the century tools.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lake states and is currently advancing into Minnesota where it threatens the nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most in any state. Loss of these trees would devastate ecosystems throughout Minnesota and have major economic impacts for the forest products industry as well as through the costs associated with treatment, removal, and replacement of lost trees.
Brown marmorated stink bug is a terrestrial invasive species in Minnesota that was first discovered in 2010 and has been expanding its range since. It is a generalist plant pest that attacks more than 300 species of plants in natural, agricultural, and horticultural settings and is known for its unpleasant odor, large numbers, and propensity for home invasion. Proactive management approaches are available and in development that can be used to slow and potentially control brown marmorated stink bug populations.
To remodel an existing commercial building to be established as the Pillager Arts Center. The Pillager Arts Center will be an epicenter for arts education for the community and serve as a space where people can interact with other creative minds.
To update and enhance cultural heritage exhibits at the Cass County Fair. Projects will include brightening display areas, installing speakers, and removing outdated displays to replace with new exhibits of art and cultural artifacts from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa and other pieces relating to regional heritage.
The goals of the program are to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices, identify underlying processes that affect water quality, and develop technologies to target critical areas of the landscape. Funded projects provide current and accurate scientific data on the environmental impacts of agricultural practices and help to develop or revise agricultural practices that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining farm profitability.
This project builds partnerships among natural resource professionals, college, middle and high schools to work collaboratively to increase youth exposure to outdoor experiences, environmental issues, and natural resource career paths.
We have the following free shows we want to line up for our 2023 fair. These Homeward Bound Theatre shows will provide a fun learning experience for all ages: , , Alfy's World of Robotic Puppets - These versatile characters will bring a wide range of fun and education through agricultural facts, jokes and questions. These puppets are radio-controlled and engage children and families at different parts of the fair, targeting those specific aspects of agriculture.
Provide a variety of free entertainment and educational activities for fairgoers of all ages. Various Minnesota artists will provide different styles of music such as old and new country, rock 'n' roll, polka and old-time waltzes. There will be Minnesota history presentations and learning activities in the old Belvidere one-room schoolhouse. And fairgoers will have the opportunity to share their creativity by painting a design on a small rock.
The Pillager History Center is a building on the county fairgrounds. A history display started to grow there in early 2016, made of paper copies and memorabilia gathered from the community. At the beginning of this history collection, this building was not critter or weather proof. In previous grant cycles the building has had a critter-proofing project, and additional work has been done to further that work. Now, we are requesting funds to allow those 9-year-old paper photos and memorabilia items to be housed in better conditions.
We will provide a variety of free music, educational activities, and programing for fairgoers of all ages. Minnesota artists will provide various types of music such as country, blues, rock, pop, folk, and polka. We are also working with the Goodhue County Historical Society to provide presentations and activities to educate and promote Minnesota history and culture. Partnering with the Anderson Center, we wish to bring an artist to demonstrate their skills. This year, we are planning to bring a glass blower to our fair.
The following 3 shows are what we are planning for the Cannon Valley 2024 Fair through Homeward Bound: 1) Mandana's ABC (Agriculture, Balloons, and Comedy) Extravaganza! 2) Dr. Street You are Magic Nick's magic inspires imaginations! He will show children how to believe in their dreams. 3) Alfy's Robotic Puppets: Through the ?magic? of radio control, these life-like puppets will be visiting and sharing jokes and quips with unsuspecting event goers.
New invasive plant species continue to emerge in Minnesota and will pose ongoing threats to Minnesota’s economy, ecology, and environment if able to spread across the state. It is cheapest, easiest, and least harmful to find and control small populations of invasive plants before they become widespread.
We will implement an economically-viable, farm-based strategy to protect water quality across more than 100,000 acres of vulnerable wellhead protection regions using cover crops in corn-soybean rotation.
To organize a fiddler's contest of all ages at the 2012 fair. Contest will also include musical entertainment, two hours before the contest, by a bluegrass band.
This program funded grants to local units of government and other entities to supplement, not supplant existing budgets. Two categories of grants made available: 1) focus on response to invasive forest pest incidents, 2) focus on planning and preparedness for the arrival of invasive forest pests. The program will also update the state's invasive and exotic tree pest plans.
To enhance the Creative Arts building on the fairgrounds in order to improve the arts experience for fairgoers. The Freeborn County Fair will replace archaic lighting, add glass display cabinets, add a new display area of pre-school art, and provide musical performances.
To provide arts and heritage programming by local artists. Programming will include story-telling, ethnic music, demonstrations of period culture, lathe turning, spoon carving, and spinning.
To enhance and expand the fair’s educational exhibits and cultural performances. The history of Goodhue County, the state, and the nation, was shared through demonstrations and displays provided by the Historical Society, Prairie Island Indian Community and individual artists that specialize in early American crafts. History of music and different styles of music were provided by various musical artists. The art of dance was highlighted with workshops given by a local dance studio.
To improve the arts display area at the Goodhue County Fair. Funds will be used to upgrade display cases and shelves, improve lighting by replacing and repairing windows, and making the building handicap accessible.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To better showcase the talent of local artists by enhancing the display areas of the open class and 4-H buildings. Will also create a "Minnesota Made" butterflies exhibit.
The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead on implementing conservation practices that protect water quality. Those who implement and maintain approved conservation practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. This program will help address concerns about changing regulatory requirements from multiple state and federal agencies.
The Minnesota Water Research Digital Library (MnWRL) is a user-friendly, searchable inventory of water research relevant to Minnesota. It includes both peer-reviewed articles as well as white papers and reports. The Library provides 'one-stop' access to all types of water research.
Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas.
