Mini-grants available for produce growers

ST. PAUL — Minnesota produce farmers who improve on-farm food safety systems may be eligible to reimburse their expenses through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Produce Safety Mini-Grant, which is now accepting applications.

Applicants must be a Minnesota produce farmer that sells one or more of the following crops to be eligible: leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, or tomatoes.

Growers may be reimbursed for past expenses occurring Jan. 1, 2022 through March 25, 2023, and future expenses taking place March 26, 2023 through July 14, 2023. Awardees will receive up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required.

Examples of eligible expenses include: supplies to build or purchase a portable handwashing station; harvest totes or collection tools; water testing for generic coli; consultation fees for developing an on-farm food safety plan; and waxed boxes and market containers.

Additional information and the online application are available at www.mda. state.mn.us/minigrant.

Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at (651) 5393648 to request a paper copy. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on March 25.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.v your plant’s health. The aged bark fines also play an essential role; they add carbon and enhance soil structure by helping to break down organic matter and balance moisture levels. We aim for a carbon ratio of 30:1. This helps the bacteria, fungi, and microbes to build humus in the soil and feed the plants.”

Compost has to be turned, mixed, and aerated so it develops enough heat to kill the weed seeds in the manure but not so hot as to sterilize it. Jim, and their son Max, are responsible for properly managing the wind rowed compost. They also handle the testing.

“We send it in for testing a few times during the composting process so we can adjust it if needed,” Kristy said.

“We are targeting a certain NPK that would benefit many applications. Additionally, it is important to consider carbon to nitrogen levels, as well as having the majority of particles being under a half inch in size. We also want a 30 to 40 percent moisture level. When we have mature compost, we send it in one more time for a complete test.”

Kristy K Organics sells a number of bagged products in addition to the eight quart and one cubic foot bags of compost. One of them is the carbon building bark fines that are also in the finished compost. Another product is a blend of 70 percent fluffed coconut coir with 30 percent rice hulls.

“In many growing projects, Coconut Coir husks provide a