On the farm: Chemicals threaten farmers

Farmers in Carlton County and across the state face an environmental threat that could affect their business and lead to a loss of livelihood. At a recent meeting of the Carlton County chapter of the Minnesota Farmers Union, local farmer and agricultural scientist Joshua Stamper warned that discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" or PFAs, found in soil or farm products, including dairy, meats, fruits, vegetables, and forage, can lead to disastrous losses.

PFAs are synthetic chemicals that have been used in many useful industrial and household products for decades. They can accumulate in the body and are linked to severe illnesses. While PFAs are readily found in sludges from wastewater treatment facilities, they also occur in water downstream from landfills and industrial plants, like paper mills, electrical product factories, or oil refineries. As testing becomes more widespread, landowners and producers will likely be wary of requests to have samples taken for testing.

This year, the state of Maine initiated a program to indemnify farms where sludge containing PFAs was spread as fertilizer under a state-licensed program. The Maine delegation to Congress, along with co-sponsors in two other states, introduced the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAs Act to help all states address this problem.

At the Carlton County meeting, Stamper introduced a proposal for the MFU, which lobbies the Minnesota legislature, to push for a fund that would benefit farmers in the event of losses due to PFAs. The motion was approved.

The Minnesota Farmers Union is a statewide organization with membership across agricultural sectors. It advocates mainly for small- and medium-sized operations and has strong support in Carlton County. The chapter meeting drew more than a dozen farmers, landowners, and county employees, as well as former state representative Mike Sundin.

Other motions passed included proposals to do the following: lift restrictions on dairy advertising for the sale of raw milk, lift restrictions on apple orchards selling unpasteurized cider, allow small farms (under 10 acres) that have high sales volumes to be classified agricultural homesteads, and give tax incentives for farmers who volunteer with local fire and emergency departments.

John Sanford "Sandy" Dugan and his wife, Betsy, are stewards of 54 acres in the Wrenshall area. They tend two acres as gardens and pollinator habitat; most of the land is rented out to grow forage for organic beef; a barn serves for occasional regional arts events. Contact Sandy at [email protected].