U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture research loses momentum with federal payments uncertain

Rebecca Phillips of Ecological Insights, shown in July 2024 in Burleigh County, conducts agriculture research in North Dakota but is awaiting federal payments on some of her work. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)HAZELTON, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota ag and conservation researcher is unsure if she will be able to complete some projects  — or start new ones…

Lawmakers expand free school meals in North Dakota after rejecting larger proposal

FARGO, ND – JAN. 22, 2025: Students eating lunch at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo on January 22, 2025. Free school meal advocates in North Dakota are calling on the state legislature to prioritize permanent funding to pay for meals.Students eat lunch at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo on Jan. 22, 2025. (Dan Koeck/For the North…

Go Farm Connect to Host Group USDA Office Visit and Intro to Federal Farm Assistance

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – A new farmer-advocate group called Go Farm Connect is looking to equip the next generation of farmers for the future. While partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they plan to bring an introduction to new farmers on farm loans, grants, insurance and disaster assistance. And this isn’t just for English speaking people, as they will…

MN Farmer Accused of $46 Million Organic Crops Fraud

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…

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.

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…

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

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….

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…

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,…

North Dakota Request For Major Disaster Declaration Approved

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

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,…

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…