Advancement in drone technology is opening doors to new weed management techniques.

Going Above and Beyond Using Drones for Conservation Efforts
By giving a bird’s-eye view of hard-to-reach areas, drones are providing access to valuable data
Julia Dellick, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
The growing use of drone technology in conservation is transforming how we monitor and protect our natural resources and ecosystems. By giving a bird’s-eye view of hard-to-reach areas, drones are providing access to valuable data. Sam Seybold, Buffer Specialist at the Aitkin County Soil Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been incorporating drones into his work efforts over the past four years.
One key application of drones that Sam and Aitkin SWCD have used is invasive species monitoring. Drones can be flown over areas with known weed infestations to assess their extent, providing valuable imagery that informs management strategies. This preliminary data can then be compared with follow-up images taken after treatment to evaluate management effectiveness.
In addition to assessing known infestations, drones can be used to find new ones. For example, Sam and his team used their knowledge of non-native Phragmites, an extremely tall wetland grass, to fly over areas while it was blooming. By analyzing the images, they can distinguish non-native Phragmites from native species. Non-native Phragmites can be spotted because of darker seed heads. These images are paired with GPS coordinates, enabling the team to pinpoint and target the new infestations more efficiently.
In addition to weed management, the Aitkin SWCD also used drones to map the entire shoreline of Lake Mille Lacs, spanning over 80 miles. This has allowed for plans to restore many areas of shoreline to improve lake health. These efforts will focus on reducing runoff, stabilizing the shoreline, enhancing plant diversity, and expanding wildlife habitat. With the continued success of this project, Aitkin SWCD hopes to carry out similar efforts on other surrounding lakes.
Drones are rapidly transforming the way we approach land management, offering new possibilities for efficiency, accuracy, and data collection. Whether it’s tracking invasive species, restoring shorelines, or supporting habitat restoration projects, drones are proving to be an indispensable tool on the path to healthier ecosystems. As technology advances and drone capabilities expand, the potential for drones in natural resource work will only continue to grow, making the future of conservation brighter and more accessible than ever before.

Barley Producers to Vote on the Future of the Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council
Producers will vote on December 12, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) works with Minnesota’s 13 research and promotion councils (also known as commodity councils) to promote our state’s diverse agricultural sector. One of these councils is the Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council, which is dedicated to serving the barley industry. Specifically, their focus is on agricultural research, aiming to advance knowledge and development within the barley industry.
The Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council was established in 1990 and has served this purpose for decades. However, as the number of barley producers has declined, the future of the Council is now in question.
The MDA received a petition requesting to terminate the Council on November 22, 2024. The petition is signed by more than 10% of Minnesota barley producers. These barley producers believe the Council is no longer a needed resource as utilization of barley as a commodity in Minnesota is decreasing.
In response, the MDA is required to hold a vote within 60 days to help decide the future of the Council. All Minnesota producers that share(d) directly in the risk of loss from the production of barley during the current or preceding marketing year are eligible to vote.
Voting Information:
Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Location: The Prairie Grains Conference front desk
Alerus Center 1200 S 42nd St
Grand Forks, ND
For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6013.

Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council Seeks New Members
Applications now open through December 20
The Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) is looking for new members to join the council and help expand soil fertility research, education, and outreach in Minnesota.
AFREC is a farmer-led program to advance soil fertility research, technology development, and education. Money is raised through the sale of fertilizer in the state and invested through a competitive request for proposal process. The organization typically awards over $1 million annually.
The 2024 Minnesota Legislature expanded AFREC to include a new member who is “an expert in public health” and a new member who is “an expert in water quality and has performed scientific research on water issues.” A member of the public fitting either position can apply through the Secretary of State’s website. Applications are due December 20, 2024.
The new members will begin a three-year term on AFREC starting in February 2025. The recent legislative changes expand the board to 15 members, most of which are either farmers or provide agricultural professional services to farmers.
The MN Soil Fertility website has more information about the council and includes a list of research projects, reports, and short research summaries, as well as other resources.

Public Input Sought on Draft Minnesota Aquaculture Plan
Comments are being accepted through December 18
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking input on a draft state aquaculture plan. Comments are being accepted now through December 18.
Minnesota recognizes aquaculture, which is the practice of privately raising fish or other aquatic life, as agriculture. At its peak in 2005, the direct revenue associated with aquaculture in the state exceeded $8 million.
The state’s draft plan assesses the current state of the aquaculture industry in Minnesota and provides sector analysis. Sectors include fish for food, bait fish, stocker fish, and ornamentals. It also provides top priorities and recommendations in the areas of marketing, leadership, permitting and regulations, research, policy, production methods, government programming, and future planning.
The draft plan can be found at www.mnaquaplan.com, and comments can be made on the website or emailed to Luke Jodoin at luke@steamboatroad.com.
Once public comments are evaluated, the finalized plan will be presented to the Minnesota Legislature in February 2025.