MDA reminds livestock farmers to apply for investment grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota livestock farmers should apply now to take advantage of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Investment Grants. The program has $1 million in grant funding available to eligible livestock producers to offset the costs of on-farm improvements.

Qualifying producers would be reimbursed ten percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment. Producers who suffered a loss due to a natural disaster or unintended consequence may also apply. The grant will not pay for livestock or land purchases or for the cost of debt refinancing.

Minnesota livestock producers who applied for but did not receive a grant in past years will need to reapply to be considered for the 2013 program.

The deadline to apply for the grant program is September 23, 2013. Applications and more information on the Minnesota Livestock Investment Program can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/livestockinvestmentgrant.

Minnesota farmers lend a helping hand

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 9, 2013) - Thanks to farmers across Minnesota, $652,500 has been invested in rural communities throughout the state. Back for the fourth consecutive year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will be giving farmers the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation for their favorite, local nonprofit organization. Since the program was piloted in 2010, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has helped more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit organizations continue to search for funding opportunities that will better enhance their programs. Through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, farmers have been able to support a variety of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota.

- FFA chapters across the state have received a total of $85,000 in Grow Communities donations.

- Farmers helped put out fires by donating $137,500 to fire and health-related organizations.

- Service organizations, like food pantries, have received $150,000.

- Grow Communities has donated $150,000 to education organizations.

- Community improvement organizations have received $27,500 through Grow Communities.

- Many farmers chose to give back to their local 4-H clubs. A total of $70,000 has been donated to 4-H clubs across the state.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities launched nationally in 2011 and has grown to include 1,289 eligible counties in 39 states. Farmers and rural community members can now visit GrowCommunities.com or call 1-877-267-3332 and register to win or submit an idea for a nonprofit in need of funding. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to support rural communities.

MNSure rates released

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman released the individual policy premium rates, which are the lowest average rates in the country for health insurance plans sold through Minnesota’s new health insurance marketplace, MNsure, when it opens on October 1, 2013. 

Friday’s announcement follows a lengthy and thorough review of all of the new policies, which included providing detailed justification for the rates filed to ensure that the premiums charged are reasonable and necessary.  After the review process, Commissioner Rothman approved the rates for 141 plans in total, 78 of which that will be available to individuals. Minnesota’s nationally-recognized, thorough rate review process resulted in premiums for Minnesotans four to 37 percent lower than had originally been filed - providing border-to-border options for consumers across all metal levels.  

Rates for policies available on MNsure for the individual market start as low as $90.59 for a 25 year-old, non-smoker living in the Twin Cities, with options in each metal level reflecting comparable value for the price.  In addition to the competitive rates of the plans offered through MNsure, comprehensive networks are available across the state - 85 percent of Minnesota counties will have 3 or more health insurance companies to choose from - providing border-to-border choice for all Minnesotans.   

In coordination with the information released by the Commerce Department, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted on its website a preview by carrier of the networks of clinics, hospitals, and chemical dependency treatment centers that will be available through MNsure. Health plans offered through MNsure are required to meet multiple certification standards, and the state’s Department of Health is responsible for certifying the provider networks for all MNsure carriers. MDH also reviews and approves the benefits being offered by HMO’s through MNsure and the Commerce Department reviews and approves benefits for the non-HMO insurers.

Minnesota is one of 31 states in the country that can deny rates requested by insurance companies based upon whether the rates are justified.  The Department’s actuaries conduct statistical analyses and closely scrutinize the assumptions that health insurance companies use to develop rates. The new plans and rates recently approved that will be available during open enrollment include many consumer protections. Those protections include making all health insurance available to every Minnesotan, even those with pre-existing health problems and expanded benefit sets that provide free preventive care.  Additionally, to protect consumers, Commerce Department staff reviewed all policy forms to ensure they included the consumer protections in state law.

Health plans included in MNsure will be sold during open enrollment which begins October 1, 2013 and coverage will take effect Jan. 1, 2014.  

MNsure plans are categorized as bronze, silver, gold or platinum based on how much of the cost is paid by the insured person. For example, bronze plans are likely to have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance. In addition to these four “metal levels,” high deductible “catastrophic plans” are available for young adults under age 30 and certain other qualifying individuals. All plans provide coverage for the set of essential health benefits that are now required by law.

Once a consumer decides what plan of coverage he or she wants to purchase, four factors can affect the premium rate: age, area of the state in which the person resides, whether the person uses tobacco, and how many people are covered by the plan. Minnesotans will want to visit MNsure or call the MNsure consumer call center to learn whether tax credits available exclusively through MNsure can be applied to their premiums to further lower their premium payment.

For more information on Minnesota’s health insurance rates or the rate review process in Minnesota, please visit the Commerce Department’s website to view the rates, frequently asked questions, and additional information about the new health care reform changes that begin January 1, 2014.

For more information on the 15 networks approved by the Department of Health visit MDH’s website, http://health.mn.gov/mnsurenetworks, to review computer files of each network, displaying hospitals, clinics and chemical health providers. Each PDF file is organized by provider zip code and alphabetically within zip codes. Consumers will be able to search networks on the MNsure web site beginning October 1.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is here to help.

Call our Consumer Response Team at 651-539-1600 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3602 (in Greater Minnesota) if you have any questions about your insurance or if you believe you have been a victim of a scam or fraud. 

Sanford Health to implement mandatory employee influenza vaccination policy

(Fargo, ND) - Sanford Health announced today it plans to implement mandatory influenza vaccinations for all Sanford employees and physicians effective with the 2013-2014 influenza season. The organization made the decision in order to maximize patient safety and protect its employees against influenza.

"This decision will protect our patients and also protect our employees during this upcoming influenza season. It's a decision that our physicians support. Sanford Health's physician leadership groups, our Boards of Governors, in all four of our regions have unanimously recommended mandatory influenza vaccinations for all employees," said Paul Carson, MD, medical director, Sanford Health infection prevention and control, Fargo region.

Mandatory influenza vaccinations for health care workers have been endorsed by prestigious health care organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the South Dakota Association of Health Care Organizations (SDAHO). Many health systems across the country are also implementing mandatory influenza vaccinations this year.

Sanford Bismarck has already demonstrated success with influenza vaccinations. The region successfully implemented mandatory influenza vaccinations for its employees in 2010 and has achieved near 100 percent vaccination.

The new policy includes employees and physicians, as well as students, volunteers, contracted workers, locums and vendors. Exceptions to the required immunization will be granted for medical or religious reasons only.

 

MnDOT receives federal stimulus grant

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation will receive a $1.45 million federal grant for the installation of conflict warning systems at 15 rural, stop-controlled intersections across the state.

The funding comes from the Transportation Investment Generating Recovery, or TIGER, program, which is part of a federal economic stimulus package administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The warning systems will inform motorists of intersection conflicts ahead to help them to better judge gaps in traffic. This project is the result of an extensive planning effort and is part of Minnesota’s Toward Zero Deaths safety program.

“Intersection conflict warning systems have the potential to significantly reduce collisions and improve safety at rural intersections,” said Sue Mulvihill, MnDOT deputy commissioner and chief engineer. “Based on the average daily traffic at these intersections, drivers and passengers in more than 80,000 vehicles will experience the added safety and security offered by these systems on a daily basis.

          
“This innovative system provides a safe and affordable alternative to traditional traffic safety improvements,” she said.

For more information about rural intersection conflict warning systems, see mndot.gov/trafficeng/signals/conflictwarning.html. They are one of many ways that MnDOT is using intelligent transportation systems to improve safety on Minnesota’s highways. For more information on Minnesota’s ITS program visit mndot.gov/guidestar/.

In addition to MnDOT’s award, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority will receive $10 million in TIGER funds to rebuild and expand a general cargo dock and also will fund improvements to existing road and train connections.

Minnesota’s two awards were among $474 million in TIGER grants awarded to 52 projects in 37 states. For more information, see www.dot.gov/tiger/.

DNR honors 2 youth conservationists

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently honored two youth for demonstrating initiative, leadership, creativity and achievement in the conservation and wise use of natural and agricultural resources.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr made the award presentations Aug. 30 during a ceremony at the Minnesota State Fair. This is the 22nd year the DNR has presented the youth awards.

Lane Alm of Hawley received the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Award. For the past four years, he has worked on his “Diversified Horticulture” project, which began when he was 14 years old and got a job with Prairie Restorations Inc. - Bluestem Farm. He learned to identify native plants, their seeds, and how they can be used for landscaping around lake homes, businesses, and for erosion control. Alm also learned how to operate and maintain planting and harvesting machinery.

“In addition to his outstanding project and work experience, Lane is active in 4-H, the FFA Soils Team, and has been a National Honor Student member throughout high school,” Landwehr said.

He is also a football player, wrestler, deer hunter, raises horses, wins roping competitions, and refurbishes antique tractors. “This well-rounded young man also volunteers at the annual Rollag Threshing Show and is an officer for the Hawley 4-H and FFA Chapter,” Landwehr said. “This year he also won the Hawley Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award.”

Alm graduated from Hawley High School this spring and started attending North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. a few weeks ago.

Lane is the son of Lee and Brandi Alm. Also present at the award ceremony were the state FFA advisors Joel Larsen and Jim Ertl.

Morris Area High School student Brady Cardwell received the 4-H Award. His project, titled “History of Wildlife Conservation in Minnesota,” focused on how and why various conservation organizations and clubs were started, and steps he has taken to learn about and improve wildlife habitat. 

For his sixth-grade project, Cardwell researched milestones in conservation history and the various agencies responsible for wildlife conservation. He visited a number of public lands, interviewed managers, and observed a prescribed burn. He also researched and participated in events with all the major wildlife conservation clubs in his area.

Cardwell participates in archery, shooting sports, science and history fairs, and makes his own lures. He carved the Duck Unlimited logo into his pumpkin last year. He is active in his local 4-H club and Luther League. “Somehow he also manages to play football and is on the wrestling team,” Landwehr said. 

Brady is the son of Douglas and Meriel Cardwell. 

Also recognizing Cardwell at award ceremony was Dorothy Freeman, associate dean and state 4-H director and Nancy Hegland, extension program leader of 4-H youth development.

Highway 89 reopens south of Wannaska

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Highway 89, south of Wannaska, has reopened to traffic as repairs have been completed on the bridge over the South Fork Roseau River.

Robert R. Schroeder Construction Inc. was the contractor for the $787,855 project. The improvements have provided a safer bridge for motorists.

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.