September 2008
Organic Farming
Organic farmers in Minnesota and around the country are reaping the fruits of their labor. A recent MPR story highlighted the fact that the average profit of 45 organic farms in Minnesota approached $59,000 in 2007 – nearly double the 2006 average. It is important to note, however, that the overall farm income for conventional farmers last year averaged just over $105,000. For their complete story from September 16, 2008, see: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/15/organicprofit/
The Minnesota Legislature’s interest in promoting opportunities for organic agriculture in Minnesota has grown over the past several decades. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with its Organic Advisory Task Force, produces the comprehensive report: The Status of Organic Agriculture in Minnesota: a Report to the Legislature. Reported are current and future research needs at all levels in the area of organic agriculture, as well as other data.The Legislative Library has several other reports listed below that focus on the economic aspects of organic farming. Please call the Legislative Reference Library at 651-296-8338 or email http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/comments.asp for copies of these reports or for further information.
Organic Farm Performance in Minnesota, 2007. St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 2008. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/organicgrowing/2007orgfarmperf.pdf
Organic Farm Business Management Annual Report, Minnesota. St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 2006. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/organicgrowing/ofbm_annualrpt.pdf
Overview: Experiences and Outlook of Minnesota Organic Farmers, 2007. St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 2008. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/organicgrowing/2007orgsurvresults.pdf
Directory of Minnesota Organic Farms. St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 2008. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/organicgrowing/organicdirectory.pdf
The Status of Organic Agriculture in Minnesota: a Report to the Legislature, 2006. St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 2007. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/organicgrowing/organicrpt2006.pdf
New & Notable Books and Reports
Many of the items listed below are available electronically. If so, we have provided a
link to the document. However, some of the documents may be very long. You can request to
borrow our print copy of any of the items by selecting the check-box and clicking on the
"Request Items" button.
Ye, Su. Stearns County Livestock Industry Economic Impact. Minn. Dept. of Agriculture. 2007. HD9417.M6 Y4 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0551.
Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines and Commentary. Minn. Sentencing Guidelines Commission. August 1, 2008. KFM5983.2.M58 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0600.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 244.09 Subd. 5http://www.msgc.state.mn.us/guidelines/guide08.pdf
Annual Report Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission. Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (Region 6W). 2008. HT393 .M62 U62x 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0601.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 462.393 Subd. 1http://www.umvrdc.org/site/pages/getObject.php?ID=114
Larson, Lisa. Short Subjects: Measures of Student Learning and School Accountability. House Research. July 2008. HN79.M6 S56 2008.
Licensed Distributors of Petroleum Products. Minn. Dept. of Revenue, Petroleum Division. July 31, 2008. HD9567.M6 L52x 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0596.
Report to the Legislature on Wind Curtailment Payments Under Minnesota Statutes 216B.1681. Minn. Public Utilities Commission. July 2008. TJ825 .R47 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0569.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 136 Art. 4 Sec. 9 (Minn. Stat. 216B.1681)http://www.puc.state.mn.us/docs/rpt_to_legis_july2008.pdf
Sullivan, Colbey. Short Subjects: The Ethanol Industry in Minnesota (Updated). House Research. July 2008. HN79.M6 S56 2008.
Sakatah Lake State Park Management Plan. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. March 2008. F612 .S14 S25 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0576.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 86A.09 Subd. 1http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/parks_recreation/mgmtplans/sakatah_lk_plan.pdf
Dyson, Deborah et al. Legislation Relating to Local and Metropolitan Government. House Research. 2008. KFM5858 .L45 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0597.
Metropolitan Mosquito Control District: 2007 Operational Review and Plans for 2008. Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. 2008. RA640 .M574 2007/2008. Minn. Publication 08-0592.
Dyson, Deborah A. Short Subjects: Special Legislation and Local Approval (Updated). House Research. July 2008. HN79.M6 S56 2008.
Dyson, Deborah A. Special Legislation (Revised). House Research. July 2008. KFM5821.5.S65 D97 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0570.
State of Minnesota Treasurer's Office Finance Dept. Report of Bank Balances 100,000 or more. Minn. State Treasurer; Minn. Dept. of Finance. 2008. HJ7600 .M56 2008.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 16A.27 Subd. 2
Cleveland, Emily. Short Subjects: Minors' Consent for Health Care (Updated). House Research. July 2008. HN79.M6 S56 2008.
Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws. United States Dept. of Labor. July 2008. Ref KF3675.Z95 S53.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Sullivan, Colbey and Patrick McCormack. Farm Wineries (Updated). House Research. June 2008. KFM5775.5.W56 S85 2008a. Minn. Publication 08-0542.
HealthMatch Project Assessment Summary. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. May 2, 2008. HV29.5.U6 H43 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0574.
State Trends: Measuring Change in the 50 United States. Morgan Quitno. 2008. Ref HA214.S74 2008.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Diebel, Jeffrey and Dariel Weaver. Methamphetamine Laws in Minnesota. House Research. May 2008. HV5831.M6 D54 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0541.
Neumann, Anita. Airline Mergers and Labor Integration Provisions Under Federal Law. House Research. June 2008. HE9777.7.N48 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0566.
Minnesota National Guard State Incentives Programs. Minn. Dept. of Military Affairs. July 1, 2008. UB323 .A5 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0606.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 192.501 Subd. 3http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080606.pdf