U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Local News, Minnesota News

MN Farmer Accused of $46 Million Organic Crops Fraud

KVRR Staff,

COTTONWOOD CO., Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota farmer is accused of making $46 million by passing off chemically treated corn and soybeans as organically grown. James Wolf was charged July 7 in federal court with felony wire fraud. Prosecutors say Wolf falsely labeled crops grown on his rural Cottonwood County farm as organic and that he defrauded grain buyers and…

Food Assistance
Community, Coronavirus, Coronavirus-ND, North Dakota News

Pandemic EBT available for low income students in distance learning

The daily funds come out to $6.82 per day and are available only during days students are learning from home.
George Gonzales,

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — A food assistance program is ensuring K-12 students across North Dakota are staying fed while learning from home. “The program is brand new; it was never in effect until this last year after the COVID emergency was announced,” North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s Director of Child Nutrition Linda Schloer said. Director of Child Nutrition at…

Amanda Pkg
Local News, Minnesota News, North Dakota News

ND & MN Senators React To The Return of Tom Vilsack as Ag Secretary

KVRR Staff,

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack was confirmed by the Senate this week as the next Agriculture Secretary, a job he held previously for 8 years. Minnesota and North Dakota lawmakers were asked about what’s in store for agriculture under the Biden administration. In a 92-7 vote Tuesday, Vilsack was confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture….
Coronavirus, Local News, North Dakota News

Great Plains Food Bank helps distribute USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes

There is no income requirement for receiving food through the program.
,

FARGO, N.D.–The Great Plains Food Bank is helping to facilitate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program. The program supports struggling farmers who have a surplus of food and hungry people impacted by COVID-19. The USDA has allocated up to $3 billion to purchase food from farmers that would otherwise be left in the fields or…

Fargo Meals
Community, Coronavirus, Coronavirus-MN, Coronavirus-ND, Local News, Minnesota News, North Dakota News

YMCA of Cass and Clay Offering Free Meals to Children During COVID-19 Pandemic

The meals will consists of supper and a snack.
,

FARGO, N.D.–The YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties will begin distributing free meals to children on Monday, April 13. The YMCA is partnering with the State of North Dakota and U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the meals to children ages 18 and younger. The meals will consists of supper and a snack. Suppers will include a protein, grain, vegetable,…
Local News, North Dakota News

North Dakota Request For Major Disaster Declaration Approved

It'll make federal assistance available under the Federal Emergency Management Agency
TJ Nelson,

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  President Trump has approved North Dakota’s request for a major disaster declaration due to fall flooding and the early snowstorm. It’ll make federal assistance available under the Federal Emergency Management Agency. An estimated $10 million in damage was done to public infrastructure from a three-day October storm and flooding. The declaration covers 16 counties: Barnes, Eddy, Foster,…
Agriculture, North Dakota News

North Dakota Ranks High for Blackbird Crop Damage

North Dakota ranked first in bird damage to confectionery and oilseed sunflowers.
,

BISMARCK, N.D.–North Dakota agricultural officials say there’s help available for the millions of dollars in crop damage caused by blackbirds each year. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services program loans nonlethal management equipment to farmers to help disperse blackbirds that attack sunflower and grain crops. The USDA says of eight states with significant…
Business, Community, Health, Local News, News Landing Page

Pride of Iowa Food Products Recalled Over Potential Health Hazard

They include packaged Deli Fresh branded Caesar salads and wraps
TJ Nelson,

  REGIONAL — An Iowa company has recalled salads and sandwich wraps sent out to vending machines because they were distributed without federal inspection. Pride of Iowa Sandwiches is recalling products containing more than 230 pounds of chicken, pork and beef sent to vending machines in Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. They include packaged Deli Fresh branded Caesar salads…
Agriculture, Business, Local News, News Landing Page, North Dakota News

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Bringing Assistance to Livestock Producers in Wake of Drought

Senator Heitkamp got the reassurances during a senate hearing
TJ Nelson,

NORTH DAKOTA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional assistance for livestock producers dealing with the ongoing drought. The USDA has expanded emergency grazing on land enrolled in the CRP, including those counties where drought conditions are moderate. The agency says the authorization includes any county in which any part of its border lies within 150 miles of…