East Grand Forks sugar beet factory fined $350K for air quality violations
The American Crystal Sugar plant emitted high levels of particulate matter and hydrogen sulfide over several years.
Minnesota House lawmakers push forward fertilizer tax to clean up contaminated wells
The tax on farmers, smaller than earlier proposals, cleared a key House committee.
Minnesota to take the pulse of the Mississippi River, from the headwaters to Iowa border
State regulators will study the health of Minnesota's entire 650-mile stretch of the river this year.
Business
Immigrant workers sue Minnesota vegetable farm for shorted pay, 'deplorable' conditions
Workers claim Svihel Vegetable Farm violated federal human trafficking law; the farm calls the suit "baseless."
Agriculture
![Cattle at the Wysocki Dairy CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) in Armenia, Wisc. in late October. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@s](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GNUPD5JDUEDREIFU5RKJM2EV2Y.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Iowa environmental groups ask EPA to step in and protect drinking water
Inspired by a successful campaign in Minnesota, the groups want the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to intervene to prevent agricultural runoff from polluting water in northeast Iowa.
Business
Land O'Lakes CEO Beth Ford named to Time's list of 100 influential people
Last year, the leader of the Arden Hills-based agribusiness and food giant, was recognized by Time for sustainable agriculture work.
Business
Minnesota farmers welcome spring rain: 'There's nothing like the chemistry of rainwater'
The Land of 10,000 Lakes (and farms) slipped back out of drought last week and Tuesday's rains helped, too, good news especially for farmers.
Politics
Minnesota marijuana sales could be delayed or in short supply if planting doesn't start soon
Growers need time to get cannabis planted, harvested, tested and processed — preferably before retailers open.
Business
Fields softened early this year, but corn farmers await April 10 to kick off planting season
Baseball has Opening Day. Anglers have the Fishing Opener. Corn farmers have federal crop insurance day.
Local
Southeast Minnesotans worry over state water pollution response
Four months after promises to help, Minnesota has yet to deliver clean drinking water to people most in danger. Moreover, some residents worry about how seriously the state will treat nitrate pollution in the future.
Business
Minnesota farmers saw income drop 76 percent last year from plunging commodity prices
A survey of Minnesota's top-earning farmers suggests sagging pork, dairy and crop prices led to a 76% drop in farm profitability in 2023. The short-term future doesn't look bright, either.
Business
Is bird flu coming for Minnesota's dairy cows next?
The devastating avian virus has already infected baby goats in Stevens County. Now Minnesota ag officials brace for what feels like the inevitable.
Business
Farm out your groceries this summer with a CSA subscription
Community supported agriculture offers big-time nutrition and local produce, as long as you're willing to cook — and eat — whatever your farmer provides.
Business
White House yet to release sustainable jet fuel tax credit rules; corn farmers eager to mix in ethanol
The lucrative federal tax credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act could be a boon for corn farmers, if it's ever released.
Business
![A school bus driving Austin's basketball teams to Rochester drove past the Hormel Foods plant, which employs much of the town. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aa](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/CNGFNXO2H2R6DZW3U4V2H6QJ5I.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Pigs' blood leaked from Hormel plant into storm water system in Austin, Minn.
Officials say the debris, released by faulty equipment at a pork processing plant, overwhelmed the city's system for several days.
Business
Minnesota AG's office negotiates safe living conditions for dairy workers in wage theft case
Evergreen Acres Dairy in Paynesville, which disputes the underlying charges, has agreed to stipulations while the case continues.
Business
AI could help track farm country's carbon emissions, U study says
A new study from the University of Minnesota suggests a machine learning model could help solve the tricky question of where planet-warming gases are escaping from soil.
Business
Sugar prices keep climbing. Minnesota bakeries are suing sugar companies over it.
Edina-based United Sugar and Minnetonka-based Cargill are among the defendants in federal antitrust lawsuits.
Duluth
A ravenous beetle now threatens Minnesota's North Woods
The emerald ash borer has been found in north-central Minnesota, showing the bugs' ability to adapt to cold, in a state with more ash trees than any other.
Business
Manure haulers sue Minnesota boss, alleging poor housing, deceit and wage theft
South African farm-laborers arrived in western Minnesota town to find a job very different than the one they signed up for, including illegal housing, unpaid hours and poor treatment.
Business
Farming conservation funds earmarked in 2022 now being challenged in Congress
A Minnesota farmer says a "light bulb" went off when he tried environmental practices on his Stearns County farm. Now, some on Capitol Hill want to reallocate the funding that made this climate-smart experimentation possible.
Business
After slogging through the pandemic and its lingering effects, Hormel sets up turnaround plan
Supply chains are back and the Minnesota food company is finally ready to regain growth.
Business
Were Windom slaughterhouse workers' wages actually withheld? State and attorney battle in bankruptcy proceedings.
The sprawling pork processing facility in southwestern Minnesota employed over 1,000 people.
Browse Business Sections
Agriculture
News coverage and the latest trends in Minnesota agriculture, including dairy, cattle, poultry and wheat, corn, soybean and potato farming.
