Recent content from Christopher Vondracek
A central Minnesota school returns to the state semifinals in football 36 years later
Staples-Motley last appeared in the state championship game for football in 1988, the first year the two small towns paired together in athletics. The team faces Chatfield on Friday in the Class 2A state football semifinals.
Another Minnesota meatpacking plant faces child labor claims, will pay $2M
The plant is the latest in a litany of southern Minnesota towns, from Madelia to Marshall to Worthington, to face allegations they illegally employed minors in meat-processing facilities.
A presidential election hits differently for different types of Minnesotans
As reporters across Minnesota interviewed folks about this week's election, personal stories and emblematic examples emerged.
Moorhead lands $5B sustainable jet fuel plant and its 650 jobs
The facility will convert agriculture and timber waste into jet fuel.
Tumult in Long Prairie: A superintendent dismissed. Students walking out. A school board under fire.
A small central Minnesota town has lost a mayor, a city manager, two school board members and now a superintendent in 2024.
Spurred by the 'oat mafia,' the familiar grain makes a comeback in Minnesota
Word-of-mouth spread across the Driftless: Grow oats. They're good for the environment. But lagging infrastructure could stymie farmers in our backyard.
I covered Gov. Walz's pheasant hunt and got an unexpected lesson in misinformation
Hunting for the truth in a southern Minnesota field? Stay off social media.
Minnesota dairy fight: Old Home takes Kemps to court over fate of Iowa cottage cheese plant
Old Home's federal lawsuit alleges breach of contract with its crosstown competitor Kemps over a packing-plant deal.
Walz takes a break from the campaign trail to hunt in Minnesota's pheasant opener
Gov. Tim Walz's hunting party successfully bagged a rooster, though Walz didn't take a shot during the two-hour hunt.
Minnesota moves to cull or process hundreds of thousands of chickens at struggling farms
Pure Prairie Poultry, a Nicollet County-based chicken company, had tried to file for bankruptcy last month.
Minnesota dairy farm settles wage theft, poor worker housing charges for $250K
The settlement reached with Attorney General Keith Ellison also includes three years of monitoring for the Evergreen Acres Dairy, whose employees were primarily immigrants.
![Steve Carlson, with Carlson Farms, harvest soy beans in his combine on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 in Welch, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY ï aaron.lavinsky@s](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3D7HLP7MPW45WZJOMND4AQN3V4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
If a trade war comes, U.S. agriculture might be 'on the losing side'
A new analysis from NDSU researchers warned retaliatory tariffs could wipe out billions in farm exports if the U.S. puts new tariffs on imports.
Minnesotans sweating in farm country as the farm bill dies (again)
The nation's most important food and farm legislation last was reauthorized in 2018.
Renewable jet fuel conference opens in St. Paul with big goals, challenges
Minnesota's first blending facility of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel to open at Pine Bend refinery.
Trying to expand a cannabis business, surrounded by moratoriums
Red River Valley now has a beet-sugar-based, THC-infused soda pop, but its owners — and customers — have had to fight through some stigmas.
Minnesota farm country debates what could be the state's first carbon-capture pipeline
Pipeline safety and environmental benefits are in question as the Summit Carbon Solutions project — an $8.9 billion system in five Upper Midwest states — tries to move ahead in Minnesota.
Can organic milk save dairies from extinction?
For a generation, Wisconsin-based Organic Valley pushed a save-the-family-farm narrative as the cooperative grew. Now, their new CEO is eyeing revitalization of rural communities.
Against a backdrop of sick cows, the show must go on at the Minnesota State Fair
Troves of dairy cows, and their youthful attendants, will descend to the barns for competition. Officials have demanded all milking cows show negative tests for bird flu.
'A special Minnesota thing': Wild rice harvest season returns
But it's not quite ready. "The manoomin makes its own schedule," said one tribal official.
Walz knows his way around farms, but his support in ag country continues to wane
The Minnesota governor has long been a fixture in the state's agriculture scene, but as governor he has drawn rural opposition over a tossed-off slogan years ago and his handling of the 2020 civil unrest.
Minnesota farmers express discontent over prices, regulations at Farmfest
Low commodity prices, a stalled farm bill, and animal disease just some of the troubles swirling overhead at the summer's end of 2024
Klobuchar, White and Fraser take the stage at Farmfest
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and GOP candidate Joe Fraser stuck to policy, while endorsed Republican candidate Royce White tried to move the discussion to his "MAGA extremist" credentials.
At Farmfest, congressional candidates spar over stalled farm bill, D.C. and California regulations
The annual farm industry Chautauqua gathered on Tuesday, with Minnesota politicians talking agriculture policy.
$2 billion goes to farmers who faced discrimination
Dozens of Minnesota farmers, including those who wanted to go into farming but faced unlawful hurdles from USDA, will receive checks from the federal government.
Summer festivals 'build community' and boost business across Minnesota
Each summer, towns across Minnesota count on festivals to draw locals back to their roots, create a sense of community and bolster their businesses. Plus, they're a chance to sell small-town life to anyone not yet convinced.
Stinky reception for manure rules in Minnesota farm country
Minnesota regulators are updating rules for two permits, seeking to limit pollution into groundwater
Minnesota State Fair will prohibit nursing dairy cows at Miracle of Birth over bird flu risk
The spread in cattle herds of H5N1, often called bird flu, has ramped up biosecurity measures for livestock as Minnesota's county and state fair season begins.
Feds give Minnesota $200M to decarbonize food systems. Here's what the state will invest in.
Peatland restoration, farm country EVs, and biofuels are all focus areas of major EPA grant.
Chefs convene with farmers in northeast Minneapolis to talk farm policy
The gathering, orchestrated by the Chefs for Healthy Soil movement, comes as the federal Farm Bill remains stalled in Washington, D.C.
Federal funds help launch halal goat meat slaughterhouse in central Minnesota
Clean Chickens started with a mobile poultry-processing unit. The owners of that business will next establish another facility to meet a growing need in the state: a halal meat processor.
A rural Minnesota meat locker goes up in flames, but the business isn't down for good
Cattle producers and butchers in the area say an emerging resilience after decades of decline is helping forestall greater problems in the small meat-processing world.
Minnesota sheep on the lam in Zumbrota evades police but not a cowboy's lasso
Videos from the Zumbrota Police Department document their pursuit of the furry baaaaandit.
Camelina is the crop of jet fuels and cleaner waters. But will farmers grow it?
The winter-planted cover crop has sustainable possibilities in the future, but first, farmers need to know if the muscular, intermediate oilseed can actually grow during Minnesota's notoriously cold winters and mild springs. That starts with a field outside Chatfield.
University of Minnesota ag visionary, Forever Green Initiative founder Don Wyse dies
The University of Minnesota crop scientist helped develop Kernza and pennycress, key parts of the regenerative agriculture movement.
Produce farmers lack crop insurance. This flood has exposed the inequity.
Rains washed out farmland, including many fruit and vegetable crops, in south central Minnesota last month. U.S. agriculture policy historically hasn't protected those growers the same as row-crop farmers who feed animals and power biofuels.
What was a riverside bar in southern Minnesota is now an island
The Minnesota River has swallowed up summer fun for the region's residents, including patrons at this local establishment.
Hwy. 169 along the Minnesota River was rebuilt to withstand a 100-year flood. Sixteen years later, it's flooded.
Portions of Hwy. 169 near Le Sueur have been closed for days, blocking the commerce that flows through the region.
Minnesota rains mean 'some real agony' as farmers lose crops
Heavy rain comes after observers already measured "surplus" moisture for more than half the state's topsoil.
Minnesota farm fields are waterlogged, complicating growth
In the state's Lake Country, many fields are filling with rainwater, a stark change from a year ago.
Mexican migrant workers face low wages, cartel violence after layoffs in Minnesota
The bankruptcy of a southwestern Minnesota pork plant left many people holding debts. The workers on H-2B visas felt stiffed on the pledged income and powerless as they were forced to move suddenly.
Bringing your cow to the county fair? Beware new bird flu protocols.
Just in time for fair season, when thousands of animals will be exhibited, a dairy herd in Minnesota tested positive for H5N1.
![Tom Revier looked over a pen full of black angus steers that are about 60-days from sending to slaughter during a tour of his facility. ] ANTHONY SOUF](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HLH4MANEE735GXU3SJINU4TKCU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota cattle company sued over scheme to 'disguise' operations to hide from creditors
Lawsuit alleges the owner put his college-aged daughter in charge of a feedlot in Olivia — among the state's largest — to avoid paying $2 million to an Omaha firm.
Trabajadores temporales en un dilema: mantener a su familia junta o trabajar para vivir
Algunos trabajadores legales terminaron en los campos petroleros de Texas, otros en instalaciones alimentarias en Michigan. Una persona con visa H-2B llegó a una granja lechera y mantienen a tres hijos en México y a un recién nacido en Estados Unidos. "Es una pena".
Promesas rotas que destrozan el sueño americano de los trabajadores
Los trabajadores con visas H-2B se sintieron estafados por los sueldos prometidos y sufrieron impotencia ya que los forzaron a mudarse de un momento a otro.
Mantuvieron en operación este matadero en Minnesota; después quebró y los trabajadores terminaron abandonados
Cientos de trabajadores legales de HyLife en Windom fueron despedidos; provenían de Salvatierra, una ciudad Mexicana plagada de crimen y pobreza. El cierre de la planta reveló una laguna en el sistema de visas estadounidense y sumió varias vidas en un torbellino.
Guest workers torn between holding family together and making a living
Some legal workers ended up in Texas oilfields, others at a Michigan food plant. One H-2B visa holder landed at an Iowa dairy, providing for three kids in Mexico and her American-born baby. "It's sadness."
They kept this Minnesota slaughterhouse running. Then it went bust, abandoning workers.
HyLife in Windom laid off hundreds of legal workers from Salvatierra, a Mexican city plagued by crime and poverty. The plant's failure revealed a gap in the U.S. visa system, throwing lives into turmoil.
White Minnesota farmer claims win after bias suit that spurred changes dismissed
At the end of May, the agriculture omnibus spending bill became law and removed references to "emerging farmers" in the Down Payment Assistance Grant program, which would have targeted diverse farmers.
First case of bird flu detected in Minnesota dairy cows
State officials are warning those who work closely with infected animals they are at risk of contracting the virus.
Veterans memorialize fallen comrades at Minnesota's cemeteries
On Memorial Day, people gathered across the state to honor and remember those who served in the armed forces.
After months of delays, federal farm bill finally passes committee
Rep. Angie Craig, citing cuts to nutrition, voted against a farm bill that advanced out of House Ag committee early Friday morning, but the other Minnesotan on the committee, Rep. Brad Finstad, supported the legislation.
Minnesota farmers remain on guard after Michigan worker tests positive for bird flu
Minnesota has seen uptick in bird flu in commercial flocks over the last week.
A Game 7 Wolves win would defy historical odds
Does the NBA team that won Game 6 do so again in Game 7? How much of an advantage do the Denver Nuggets have on home court?
In surprise, Minnesota GOP backs Royce White to run against Klobuchar
The former basketball star-turned-activist was introduced by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
The middle class remains elusive for Native Americans in Minnesota
For Native Americans in Minnesota, the economic story of the recent decades is one of tenuous and fragile growth. Native American income was the fastest growing between 2005 and 2019, according to new data, yet no other group remains as likely to fall down the economic ladder.
What a Trump immigration crackdown would mean for Minnesota's economy
The state's labor shortage is among the country's more severe, with just 51 workers for every 100 open jobs.
Biden opens door for tax credits so corn farmers can grow jet fuel
Corn growers can qualify for the lucrative credits if they use cover crops and avoid tilling the soil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
![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=120&w=180&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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Proposal would tax Minnesota farmers to help pay for cleanup of nitrate pollution
Last year, the EPA called out nitrate pollution, largely from agriculture, in southeastern Minnesota. Now a bill to raise taxes on fertilizer is moving through the Legislature.
![Take and prepare food items are easy to locate in the grocery area of the Target in Minnetonka, as are the bulk food items in the foreground. ] JEFF W](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/AOV5ZWTNQN65MD62T7GUG34TGA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Target joins antitrust lawsuit against Cargill and others over high beef costs
The Minnesota retailer is among the most recent to join dozens of plaintiffs alleging a price-fixing conspiracy by the nation's largest beef producers, including fellow Minnesota company, Cargill.
Summer sales of E15 coming permanently to Minnesota, EPA says. But not until 2025.
Midwestern governors, including Gov. Tim Walz, had requested the federal agency allow sales of higher blends of ethanol for use by consumers during summer months.
Minnesota's top ag official denies allegations of discrimination made by white, male farmer
Last month, a Beltrami County farmer sued over a state-backed grant program aimed to help producers buy farmland, saying he was discriminated against because he was a white male.
