Agriculture

You've heard of fast food. How about slow food? Slow Food is an international movement that focuses on cooking and eating at a leisurely pace. Its members believe in supporting small-scale food production, local farmers and reviving regional food traditions. While there are 65,000 members worldwide the movement is taking off rather slowly in Minnesota. There's about a hundred members in the state. But they say there is growing interest.
Work is almost complete on what may be the largest study ever attempted of animal feedlots. Minnesota farmers, government officials, and environmental groups all had a role in designing the report, which has taken four years and cost $3 million.
Gov. Jesse Ventura is spending the next three days participating in the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana. The governor and leaders from several prominent Minnesota companies say the island nation presents a new market for the state's farmers, but Ventura's visit has drawn criticisms from Bush administration officials who say he's only lending legitimacy to Fidel Castro's government.
Minnesota researchers are trying to make wild rice a more productive crop for farmers. American Indians see the research as the theft of a plant they consider sacred.
What leaders thought would be speedy special session to approve a $31.8 million bailout package for flooded areas of northern Minnesota dragged on Thursday after a legislator tried to help farmers in the south. The bill eventually passed both houses unanimously.
Farmers vote soon on whether to sell the state's largest ethanol plant to Archer Daniels Midland.
For 11 years, Partners in Progress has helped farmers in the Dakotas and northwest Minnesota stay on the land. Farmers, bankers, and retirees all chip in cash and expertise to help farmers climb out of debt.
The new farm bill cuts funding for the minority farm outreach program, which has helped some immigrants start farming operations in Minnesota.
In Fairbault, a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee is making a special effort to reach out to Minnesota's growing immigrant population. Gregg Bongard thinks he's discovered a new approach to farming that could change the face of agriculture in the U.S.