Get weekly updates from Congressman Collin Peterson

(WASHINGTON DC) – Congressman Collin Peterson wants to share an opportunity for you to stay up to date on his work in Washington, D.C .and in Minnesota. Peterson, who represents 38 counties in western Minnesota, provides a weekly newsletter for his constituents with updates on meetings and events happening in Washington, D.C. and at home.

"It's an honor to serve the people of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District  and I hope you'll take this opportunity to sign up to receive my newsletter either by mail, or electronically," Peterson said.

The newsletter includes photos of visitors to Rep. Peterson's Washington D.C. office, Rep. Peterson's travels around the district, and highlights local events, student artists, and events in history that you might find interesting.

Get a copy of his weekly newsletter by going to this link: http://collinpeterson.house.gov/contact-me/newsletter or calling our Detroit Lakes office at 218-847-5056 to have the newsletter mailed to your home.

Commerce Department and AARP remind households: final day to apply for State’s Energy Assistance Program is May 31

SAINT PAUL, MN —The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources wants low-income Minnesotans—especially seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children—to know that grant funds are still available to help pay their heating bills from the Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

“While spring has finally arrived, many Minnesotans may still be struggling to pay large energy bills that built up over the extended winter,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “We still have funds available and want households to know they should contact us for help before May 31, which is the last day to apply for this program year.”

The average energy assistance grant is $500 per household. Households with an income less than 50 percent of the state median income ($42,789 for a family of four) may qualify. Household that qualify are served on a first-come, first-served basis while the funds last. People have until May 31, when the program year ends, to apply for the EAP funds.

Minnesota’s senior citizens are among the households who are encouraged to apply for funding, which is a point AARP wants everyone to remember. “Even though the temperature is finally rising, the impact of the long, cold winter is still hitting many older Minnesotans in the pocket book. Heating assistance dollars can make a real difference for many seniors and older workers who may not know they are even eligible. For people who live on fixed incomes or may be out of work, every dollar counts and this is one important resource that may help make ends meet,” said Michele Kimball, Minnesota AARP Director.

How to apply for energy assistance

The EAP pays the utility company directly on behalf of eligible households. Qualifying families must apply for assistance at the local service provider in their area; Minnesota has 34 local service providers.

A list of local service providers and information on applying for the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program is available by calling 1-800-657-3710 or 651-296-5175 or visiting the Energy Assistance section of the Division of Energy Resources website (www.energy.mn.gov).

EAP is federally funded by the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Other forms of assistance may be available through county social service programs, community-based organizations, and nonprofit agencies. See www.staywarm.mn.gov for a list of resources.

MDA recommends growers sign up for Driftwatch™ prior to spring planting

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Before spring fieldwork starts in earnest, growers of organic and other sensitive crops should consider signing up for the Driftwatch™ registry offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

By registering with Driftwatch™, farmers identify the locations of their sensitive crops and pastures using the point and click features of Google Maps®. Commercial fertilizer and pesticide applicators can then check the database and take special care to avoid organic land and other sensitive crops/forages when they are applying chemicals in the vicinity of these crops.

In Minnesota, growers may register grapes and other fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, and certified organic crops and pasture. The program is not intended for homeowners; participants must have at least 1/2 acre of a certified organic or other qualifying crop in commercial production.

“Driftwatch™ is a free and voluntary program,” said Meg Moynihan, administrator of MDA’s organic and diversification programs. “We offer it to help landowners and pesticide applicators communicate better – and to prevent problems before they happen.”

Driftwatch™ is offered by MDA through a partnership with Purdue University. For more information or to register land, go to www.driftwatch.org.

MN Dept of Commerce Urges Families to Sign Up for Dangerous Product and Toy Recall Alerts

SAINT PAUL, MN – Concern over hazardous chemicals in children’s products and toys has grown in the past several years. In order for Minnesota families to stay informed of potentially dangerous products, the Minnesota Department of Commerce urges parents to stay vigilant about product and toy safety, and hazardous chemicals, and to sign up for product recall alerts. Families then can receive immediate alerts on recalls without having to monitor the news.

“We want families with infants and children to be safe from dangerous products and toys in Minnesota,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “We will watch for dangerous children's products and toys in the marketplace, and families need to stay alert when it comes to product safety and recalls.”

There are several proactive steps consumers can take to ensure that their homes are free from potentially dangerous products. The Department of Commerce recommends selecting age appropriate toys, observing manufacturer’s warnings regarding safety hazards and monitoring use when necessary. Consumers can also create a toy inventory and record relevant information (manufacturer, serial or model # and purchase dates) to help identify the toy in the event that it is recalled.

Smartphone users can install the RECALLS.GOV mobile application to keep vital safety information in the palm of your hand. The app allows consumers to type in a product’s name to learn immediately whether that product has been recalled due to a safety concern. Photos of recalled products and tips for what to do with recalled products in your home are also available through the app.

In 2013, there have been three different toy recalls, along with numerous baby and child care products. There are several different sources that consumers can rely on for information regarding recalls. Consumers can visit the Commerce Department’s website for an updated list and toy safety tips. Additionally, the Department recommends that consumers sign up directly to receive email alerts from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

2013 Product Recalls:

3/5/2013 Disco Lights Recalled

2/26/2013 Monster High City Motor Scooters

2/26/2013 Hello Kitty City Motor Scooters

2/7/2013 EVO Strollers

2/6/2013 Play Yard Sheets

1/31/2013 World Imports Recalls Bunk Beds

1/31/2013 Kringles Toys and Gifts Recalls High Powered Magnets

1/30/2013 Million Dollar Baby Dressers

1/30/2013 Natart Chelsea Dressers

1/15/2013 Bugaboo Strollers

1/15/2013 Circo Girls Fleece Pajamas

1/15/2013 Children's Two-Piece Pajama Sets

1/8/2013 Fisher-Price Rock 'N Play Infant Sleepers

Consumers can also sign up for alerts at:

· http://www.recalls.gov/

· http://www.saferproducts.gov/Search/default.aspx

· http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/javascripts/widgetrss.html

Visit the Commerce Department’s website for a list of all recalls, and information related to recalls, helpful tips on toy safety and additional resources for parents. Consumers that are concerned they are in contact with a potentially hazardous product should file a report with the CPSC. Instructions for reporting a product via phone, email, or postal mail are included on their website.

Consumers with further questions can contact the Commerce Department’s Consumer Help Line at (651) 296-2488 or (800) 657-3602.

Questions or consumer complaints can also be directed by email to consumer.protection@state.mn.us or by mail to Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 7^th Place East, Suite 500, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

Time to sign up for hunter education

Right now is prime time to sign up to take a Firearms Safety Hunter Education class offered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

"If you want to go hunting this fall and need to take a Firearms Safety Hunter Education class to get your first license, or to be eligible to hunt now is the time get into a class. There are lots of dates and locations this spring to choose from around the state," says Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Education program coordinator.

Classes are taught by DNR Certified Volunteers in their local communities typically spring and early fall. To become certified, students attend both classroom and field instruction. The course provides students with basic safe firearms handling skills, wildlife identification, outdoor skills and responsibility that accompany hunting and firearms use.

Don’t wait, classes fill-up fast. To find a class, visit: the dnr website or call 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367

USDA Announces CRP General Sign-up

SAINT PAUL, MINN., February 1, 2012 — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Linda Hennen, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup. This CRP signup will begin on March 12, 2012 and end on April 6, 2012. CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States.

CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP. Producers also are encouraged to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, signup basis.

Offers for CRP contracts are ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) collects data for each of the EBI factors based on the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. Each eligible offer is ranked in comparison to all other offers and selections made from that ranking. FSA uses the following EBI factors to assess the environmental benefits for the land offered:

• Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage;
• Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff and leaching;
• On-farm benefits from reduced erosion;
• Benefits that will likely endure beyond the contract period;
• Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; and
• Cost.

For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center or go online at www.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA Special Wetlands Initiative Batching Period Announced in the Red River Basin

ST. PAUL, MN May 23, 2011 - $10 million will be available to help eligible landowners in three states reduce flooding, restore wetlands and enhance wildlife habitat in the Red River of the North Basin through the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Since 1993 the Red River Basin has experienced moderate to severe flooding annually, with record flooding over the last three consecutive years.

“This special initiative funding will emphasize WRP’s ability to mitigate flood damage within the basin by retaining higher levels of flood waters within easement acres,” Don Baloun, State Conservationist said. “Projects funded through this initiative will reduce the costs to our rural private landowners who continue to experience severe damages during these flood events.”

Landowners may sign-up for WRP throughout the year, but the sooner they visit the local county NRCS/SWCD office, the better. Applications accepted by June 17, 2011, will be considered during the first batching period. Additional batching periods will be considered if funding remains after the first period.

USDA is providing the funding for this special WRP initiative in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. These additional funds will allow the three states to accept new applications and fund more WRP easements. Restoring wetlands and associated uplands through this initiative will help retain and slow floodwaters in the Red River Basin, while providing valuable wildlife habitat, water quality benefits and reducing damages from severe flooding.

WRP, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, is the federal government’s largest private lands wetlands restoration program. It provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands that have been degraded or converted to agricultural uses. More than 80 percent of the restorable wetlands in the Red River Basin are privately owned.

The Red River Retention Authority and numerous other partners identified a critical need for targeted technical and financial assistance for eligible landowners in the basin. WRP projects funded through this special initiative will result in long-term benefits to taxpayers by reducing funding spent by local and state governments to repair damaged roads, bridges and public areas. Reduced damage to cropland and associated agricultural disaster and crop damage payments will also save taxpayers money in the long term.

For more information about WRP, please visit www.nrcs.