Tricounty News

Gov. Dayton proclaims March 17-23 as Minnesota Agriculture Week

Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed March 17-23, 2013, as Minnesota Agriculture Week. The designation is an effort to raise awareness of the positive and important contributions agriculture makes to Minnesota’s economy and its people.

Minnesota agriculture generated $18.5 billion in cash receipts and $6.8 billion in exports in 2011, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. More than 10 percent of the jobs in Minnesota are linked to agriculture.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says it’s important to recognize the impact agriculture has on the lives of all Minnesotans.

“Minnesota farms and agribusinesses produce high quality foods and agricultural products that we all enjoy and that are also exported around the world,” said Frederickson. “We rank sixth in the nation in agriculture production and we have our hard-working farmers and ranchers to thank for that.”

The top-ranking Minnesota counties in agricultural production are Stearns, Martin, Renville, Blue Earth and Nobles.

Minnesota Agriculture Week is being recognized in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of National Agriculture Day which, this year is Tuesday, March 19. For more information on National Ag Day, visit the website www.agday.org.

Farmers urged to review crop insurance

As drought continues, Commissioners Rothman and Frederickson urge farmers to review crop insurance needs

Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman March 8, issued a consumer alert encouraging Minnesota farmers to consider purchasing crop insurance ahead of this year’s growing season. The standard deadline for purchasing crop insurance is right around the corner. Farmers must finalize a crop insurance plan with their insurance agent by March 15.

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National Agriculture Week March 17-23

In recognition of National Agriculture Week March 17-23, the EV-W FFA Alumni Association and Schmitt Farms Seed Division are sponsoring a drawing for free groceries. Register to win a $50 gift certificate at Stein’s Thriftway in Watkins or Valley Meats & Grocery in Eden Valley. There will be two winners at each location.

“And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God made a farmer.”  - Paul Harvey, FFA Convention, 1978

Programs announced for farmers

Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP) and Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) Sign-up Announced

Glenn Schafer, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director, reminds producers that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) for many Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodity, disaster, and conservation programs through 2013. FSA administers these programs.

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Sesquicentennial farm applications due April 1

Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Sesquicentennial Farm program will honor Minnesota families that have owned their farms for at least 150 years. Since the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2008, more than 150 farms have been recognized. The Sesquicentennial Farm program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications:

• The farm must be at least 150 years old this year (2013) according to the abstract of title, land patent, original deed, county land records, court file in registration proceedings, or other authentic land records. Please do not send originals or copies of records.

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