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 build a mobile stage and purchase sound and lighting equipment, in order to increase the fair's ability to host arts and cultural heritage programming.
To enhance fairgoers access to the arts by adding a sound system to an existing stage area, adding display cases in the Heritage Building, and expanding art demonstrations.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a Joint Powers Agreement with Wadena County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Wadena County SWCD is partnering with 13 counties that make up the "Central Sands" region.
The MDA partnered with the USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) and University of Minnesota researchers to collect information about fertilizer use and farm management. Surveys were conducted over the phone. NASS staff are highly skilled at obtaining critical information over the phone with minimal time and burden on the producer.In 2011, the survey focused on the southeast region of Minnesota. The survey was designed to gather information about nitrogen fertilizer rates, timing of nitrogen application and use of nitrogen inhibitors.
The Discovery Farms program is a farmer-led effort to gather field-scale water quality information on different types of farms across Minnesota. The three pillars of the program are farmer leadership, credible research, and communicating results.
To feature three days of dance programs highlighting dance styles from seven different historical periods. These demonstrations will be part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Douglas County Fair. Dance programming will offer historical background of each dance in addition to demonstrations.
To increase access to arts and cultural heritage programming at the Stearns County Fair by building a permanent stage for demonstrations, performances, and workshops.
To engage the residents of Hubbard County in the arts and encourage them to exhibit their work in the Open Class Building. Funds will additionally be used to restore the one room school house.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has partnered with the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (EOT SWCD) to carry out a series of workshops and expand programs that promote proper water and nitrogen management.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogen best management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators on issues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reduce nitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To bring “Historical and Scandinavian Churches” to the Kandiyohi County Fair’s Old Settlers’ Cabin. This is a collaboration between Minnesota Historian Doug Ohman, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and the Kandiyohi County Fair Board. The project includes installing lighting to highlight photos and displays. The fair hired Theatre of Fools for two Vaudeville shows and a juggling workshop for children as well as the Old West Society of Minnesota for living history and reenactments. All artists/historians are Minnesota-based.
To offer fairgoers an opportunity to celebrate local history and culture. The Kandiyohi County Fair has rehabilitated the Old Settlers’ Cabin on the fair grounds. The Old Settlers’ Building was built in 1926 and will be used as memorial hall on the fair grounds. It was used as a gathering place for old settlers and will now be a place to house relics of earlier days.
To bring “Historical and Scandinavian Churches” to the Kandiyohi County Fair’s Old Settlers’ Cabin. This is a collaboration between Minnesota Historian Doug Ohman, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and the Kandiyohi County Fair Board. The project includes installing lighting to highlight photos and displays, hosting Theatre of Fools for two Vaudeville shows and a juggling workshop for children, as well as the Old West Society of Minnesota for living history and reenactments. All artists/historians are Minnesota-based.
To rehabilitate the Old Settlers’ Cabin on the fair grounds. The Kandiyohi County Fair will replace shingles on the cabin, which was built in 1926 by the Old Settlers’ Association. The cabin is both a historic structure and houses county artifacts.
To offer a Children’s Day with arts and education programming for young fairgoers. The Morrison County Fair provided a show from the Homeward Bound Theatre Company including “Franny Farmer,” who provides healthy eating information and “Paul Bunyon,” who discusses the lumbering heritage of the central part of Minnesota.
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.
To enhance exhibits of local artists' work by improving lighting in Mower County Fair's Creative Arts Building. Additional natural light and new spotlights will help artists highlight their work.
To construct a log building that will house Dakota and Ojibway artifacts during the Douglas County Fair. The building will be open to the public at no charge and it will be staffed and operated with the support of the Runestone Museum and the Douglas County Historical Society. Speakers will talk about Native American history, share their own family artifacts, provide instrumental and vocal performances, and be available to converse with visitors as they view the collection.
The Nitrogen Rate Study on Coarse-Textured Soil (N Rate Study) was done in 2015-2018 by the University of Minnesota (U of M) and Central Lakes College (CLC) at CLC’s farm in Staples, MN. The study examined nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn on sandy soil—with and without irrigation. The study specifically considered potential nitrogen loss from dryland corn versus irrigated corn and was established after the U of M released new nitrogen rate guidelines in early 2015.
To repair the 1926 Old Settlers' Cabin to make it suitable for historical displays and programming. No historical displays or programming have been housed at the Cabin since the early 1950s. The fair board, along with the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, will use the repaired and enhanced space to display pictures and relics of the county's early history.
Funds will be used to repair the foundation and seal logs. Track lighting and secure display cases will highlight exhibits.
To bring new arts and cultural heritage programming to the Renville County Fair. Programming included a performance by the Red Tree Singers, a Native American group, and Kid Power, an interactive kids’ program. Funds were also used to commission a local artist to paint a mural depicting local agriculture and history.
To offer new arts demonstrations at the Renville County Fair. Programming will include a performance by an educational vocal band, and demonstrations by an artist specializing in Chinese calligraphy.
The Root River Field to Stream Partnership is a collaborative effort led by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in partnership with Fillmore, Mower, and the Root River Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local farmers, crop advisers, the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center, and the Nature Conservancy. Together, project partners are addressing the following key questions:
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with partners at the Rosholt Research Farm in Westport, Minnesota to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogen best management practices and the associated water quality impacts on irrigated, sandy soils.
To host a children's show about life on the farm through songs and stories, and offer a presentation about, and create a display area of, antique horse drawn machinery used by farmers from the Le Sueur County area.
To educate fairgoers about the early history of the area. The Le Sueur County Fair will create an exhibit on the Native American and early settlers life in the area. The exhibit will include a large tipi, fire pit, artifacts, tools, hides, and more. Funds will also be used to host demonstrations on native and log cabin construction techniques, and drawing and painting activities for children.
The Little Red Schoolhouse has a long history in Kanabec County. Built in 1882 for $350, it served as the first schoolhouse for School District No. 2 before finding a home on the fairgrounds. The Little Red Schoolhouse is home to children's art displays and a variety of activities. Funds will provide a new roof, repair the ceiling, and make the necessary adaptations to make the building handicap accessible. Additionally, period costumes will be purchased and a teacher will be hired for programming.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has designed a Township Testing Program to determine current nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in private wells on a township scale. The MDA has identified townships throughout the state that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination (because of local geology or shallow groundwater) and have significant row crop production. These are the counties that will be prioritized for Township Testing.
