Thom Petersen | Red River Farm Network

Farm Measures Remain Stalled at Capitol

Published May 8, 2026

The Minnesota legislative session is entering its final week and Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says there’s still a lot of work to be done. "It's a bit of a mixed bag for agriculture, at the moment. We did pass the…

Dry Bean Scene

Published April 24, 2026

In the Dry Bean Scene, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen sees Minnesota as a powerhouse in dry bean production. Peterson was part of the Battle of the Beans event in Glyndon. Listen to the program.

Ag Finance Bill Stalled

Published April 21, 2026

The ag finance bill in the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee stalled. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen is concerned. As a result, there is no legislative vehicle to marry up with the Senate version. "There's not a lot of money in that…

Minnesota Bill Would Ban Paraquat

Published March 12, 2026

A proposal moving through the Minnesota Legislature would ban the sale and use of the herbicide paraquat in the state. Supporters say the chemical has been linked to serious health concerns, including Parkinson’s disease. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen told…

Minnesota Launches Biofertilizer Pilot Program

Published March 4, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has launched a Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program aimed at helping farmers improve nitrogen management while protecting water quality and soil health. Applications for the 2026 growing season opened March 2 and will be…

Goehring, Petersen, Roberts Included in Letter to STB

Published January 29, 2026

Agriculture commissioners and secretaries from ten states have signed a joint letter to the Surface Transportation Board highlighting their concerns over the proposed merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific railroads. The letter voices concern over the level of consolidation…

Ag Leaders Participate in Fergus Falls Summit

Published January 25, 2026

Jennen Farms in Fergus Falls hosted an Ag Summit with Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler as well as numerous legislators and farmers from across the…

MN Food Processing Sector is Being Squeezed

Published January 20, 2026

The immigration crackdown in Minnesota is being felt throughout the state. "Food processing is really dependent on immigrant labor," said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. "What's concerning to me is a lot of the folks have their I-9 (Employment Eligibility…

Suspended USDA Funding Impacts MDA

Published January 15, 2026

When Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suspended $129 million in USDA grants to Minnesota. SNAP was a target. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said farmers are seeing the impact, including early indications that funding for avian influenza testing was affected. After…

Farm Mediation Cases Up Over Last Year

Published December 9, 2025

During the summer, the number of mediation cases in Minnesota was four or five times higher than one year earlier. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says mediation notices are twice as high as they were in 2024. "Which is still twice as…

Articles tagged under: Thom Petersen

Farm Measures Remain Stalled at Capitol

Dry Bean Scene

Ag Finance Bill Stalled

Minnesota Bill Would Ban Paraquat

Minnesota Launches Biofertilizer Pilot Program

Goehring, Petersen, Roberts Included in Letter to STB

Ag Leaders Participate in Fergus Falls Summit

MN Food Processing Sector is Being Squeezed

Suspended USDA Funding Impacts MDA

Farm Mediation Cases Up Over Last Year

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