MnDOT encourages safety on roads during busy planting season

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this spring need to be aware of large farm equipment moving from farm to farm, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

“Planting season is in full swing and farmers in every corner of the state are out on the highways,” said Ray Starr, acting state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roads.”

Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The equipment also makes wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. 

Over the past five years, there were 688 crashes involving farm vehicles that resulted in 23 fatalities and 348 injuries.  Nearly half of the fatalities were an occupant of the farm vehicle.

Twenty-two percent of all farm equipment crashes and 29 percent of the fatalities were distraction-related. Other factors were speed-related and alcohol-related.

Motorists should:

·        When approaching farm equipment, slow down and use caution.

·        Watch for debris dropped by trucks. It is safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.

·        Wait for a safe place to pass.

·        Wear seatbelts.

·        Drive with headlights on at all times.

Farm equipment operators should:

·        Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.

·        Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.

·        Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night.

Senator Klobuchar’s Office to Host Public Forums as Part of Farm Bill Tour

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – On Monday, January 23, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office will kick off her Farm Bill Tour. Klobuchar’s staff will join with Minnesota agriculture leaders – including Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson – to gather input from Minnesotans on ways to strengthen the 2018 Farm Bill. Over the two-day tour, Klobuchar’s office will host forums open to the public in six counties across Minnesota.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a 2014 Farm Bill Conference Committee member, Klobuchar helped craft the current Farm Bill, which was designed to reduce the deficit, strengthen the crop insurance program, eliminate direct payments, boost conservation, maintain the sugar program, and keep nutrition programs strong for Minnesota families. She successfully pushed for several key provisions to support rural development projects, conservation programs, agricultural research, and the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program. Klobuchar’s measure to help beginning farmers and ranchers access crop insurance by reducing the cost of insurance by 10 percent for these producers in their first five years was also included in the final bill.  

The Farm Bill was last reauthorized in 2014 and will require Congressional reauthorization in 2018.

Monday, January 23

8:30 a.m. 
Steele County Administration Building

630 Florence Avenue

Owatonna, MN 55060

12:00 p.m.

New Ulm City Hall

100 North Broadway Street

New Ulm, MN 56073

3:30 p.m.
Marshall Public Library

201 C Street

Marshall, MN 56258

Tuesday, January 24

8:30 a.m.

Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services Building, Community Room

2200 23rd Street NE

Willmar, MN 56201

11:30 a.m.

Morris

USDA Agriculture Research Service North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory

803 Iowa Ave

Morris, MN 56267

3:30 p.m.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Oscar Bergos Center

1900 28th Ave S

Moorhead, MN 56560

 

MnDOT asks motorists, farm equipment operators to safely share the road during harvestseason

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this fall need to be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

“Harvest season is in full swing and farmers in every corner of the state are out using the highways,” said Sue Groth, state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roads.”

Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The machines also make wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. 

During 2012-14, 414 traffic crashes took place on Minnesota roads involving at least one farm vehicle, resulting in 13 fatalities and 202 injuries. Of the 13 fatalities, eight were farm vehicle riders; of the 202 injuries, 48 were farm vehicle riders.

“The biggest factors contributing to farm equipment/vehicle crashes are inattention, unsafe passing and speed,” Groth said. “Motorists should always slow down and use caution when approaching farm equipment.”

Motorists should:

• Watch for debris dropped by trucks hauling sugar beets and other crops. It is safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road  
• Wait for a safe place to pass
• Wear seatbelts
• Drive with headlights on at all times

Farm equipment operators should:

• Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible  
• Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph  
• Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night  

Minnesota Farm Link

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announces the creation of Minnesota Farm Link, a web-based tool designed to link farmers and farmland. Minnesota Farm Link includes all types of farming, from small fruit and vegetable farms, to large grain and livestock operations. Whether it’s helping someone find a farm, matching an experienced or retiring farmer with a beginning farmer, or exploring mentoring opportunities, the goal is to connect people.

The MDA’s website also features a directory of Beginning and Transitioning Farmer Information: www.mda.state.mn.us/beginningfarming. The directory is a clearinghouse of programs and services for all types of farmers, which includes farmers seeking land, financial assistance and loans, farmer education, legal services, multi-cultural programs, networking, mentoring and transitioning, and succession planning.

Minnesota Farm Link and the Beginning and Transitioning Farmer Information are a valuable tool for both retiring and beginning farmers. “We think it’s important to connect beginning farmers who are looking for farmland and/or mentorship opportunities with retiring farmers who want to see their farm continue,” said Commissioner Dave Frederickson.

If you have questions about Minnesota Farm Link, please contact Jim Ostlie at 320-842-6910 or jim.ostlie@state.mn.us. To learn about other beginning farmer resources, contact Becky Balk at 651-201-6369 or becky.balk@state.mn.us.

Extension launches 2014 Farm Bill crops education seminars

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Nov. 11, 2014)—In December, University of Minnesota Extension and the Farm Service Agency will begin a series of  73 free education seminars to help crop producers understand decisions necessitated by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Crop producers have until March 31, 2015 to make decisions required by the farm bill, including the choice among three new risk management programs. They will be locked into a decision that lasts five years.

The seminars are offered in 72 counties and will be led by Extension educators and FSA; no registration is required. Details are available by going to www.extension.umn.edu. The farm bill repeals several previous programs, including direct payments for most crops. It covers the following crops grown in Minnesota: corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, canola, sunflowers, oats, sorghum, lentils, dry peas, garbanzo beans and flax.

Producers and landowners will need to work closely on program decisions, Klair added. For instance, yield updates and base acre reallocations are landowner decisions, he noted, while other program decisions are made by the farm operator.  

Seminars in our region include:

(County, City, Site, Date, Time)

Wilkin Breckenridge Grace Lutheran Church Tue, Dec 02, 2014 1:00 - 3:30

Norman Ada Tubby's Tavern Wed, Dec 03, 2014 9:30 - 12:00

Becker Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn Thu, Dec 04, 2014 8:30 - 11:00

Kittson Hallock City Hall Mon, Dec 15, 2014 9:00 - 11:30

Pennington Thief River Falls Quality Inn Tue, Dec 16, 2014 8:30 - 11:00

Polk Crookston Crookston Inn Tue, Dec 16, 2014 1:30 - 4:00

Clearwater Clearbrook Community Center (Old School) Wed, Dec 17, 2014 9:00 - 11:30

Roseau/Lake of Woods Roseau Roseau City Office Building Thu, Dec 18, 2014 9:00 - 11:30

Clay Moorhead Courtyard by Marriot Tue, Jan 06, 2015 1:00 - 3:30

Otter Tail Fergus Falls Big Wood Event Center Wed, Jan 07, 2015 8:30 - 11:00

Red Lake Red lake Falls American Legion Wed, Jan 07, 2015 1:30 - 4:00

Beltrami Blackduck Golf Course Clubhouse Thu, Jan 08, 2015 8:30 - 11:00

Mahnomen Mahnomen White Earth Tribal College Tue, Jan 13, 2015 9:00 - 11:30

Polk McIntosh Community Center Tue, Jan 13, 2015 1:30 - 4:00

2014 Minnesota Grown Directory loaded with local farms

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The annual Minnesota Grown Directory is now available, just in time for spring.  The directory is a statewide guide to purchasing directly from local producers.  The 2014 edition boasts a record setting 978 farms and includes the most Community Supported Agriculture farms and farmers markets.

The 2014 directory turns a new page by featuring spokeswoman and Minnesota Olympian Carrie Tollefson’s family by her side. “This is in line with our transition from showing Carrie as a ‘world-class athlete’ to a ‘world-class mom.’ Carrie’s athletic accomplishments and her genuine passion for local farms continue to make her the ideal spokeswoman for the Minnesota Grown Program,” said Minnesota Grown marketing specialist Jessica Miles. “Carrie and her family whole-heartedly believe in eating healthy, local food whenever possible.”

The Tollefsons’ also exemplify the directory’s growing number of family friendly activities, recipes and educational agriculture facts and trivia. Parents and educators can use these exciting activities as a tool to introduce and attract kids to agriculture. The directory also contains ideas for dining out or crafting a Minnesota Cooks inspired recipe in your kitchen.

You can order free, printed copies of the Minnesota Grown Directory by calling Explore Minnesota Tourism at 1-888-TOURISM.  You can also order your copy online or look up local farms at www.minnesotagrown.com. The online directory makes it easy to find farms via product, city, zip code, or the interactive map.