Farmers Should Think Outside The Box

Minnesota farmers are being encouraged to try something different with their crops and land. Mike Heavrin is with the Center for Rural Affairs. He says millions of Federal tax dollars are available through the Agriculture Department's 'value-added' grant program. Heavrin said one example is dairy farmers bottling and blending their milk on the farm. He said organic meat operations have been funded as well as walnut and wood projects. Other ideas include biodiesel production, wineries, and wind farms. Heavrin said Minnesota is one of the top five states in the nation in the grant race. The deadline to apply for this year is March 31st.