MDA Assessing Needs and Taking Plant Donations for Flooded Vegetable Growers

I didn't have time to write my own story about this, but I wanted to help spread the word. 


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 22, 2012

CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.Hart@state.mn.us

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking information from fruit and vegetable farmers and established community gardens that lost crops due to recent flooding or storms to determine how widespread these losses are. The agency is also seeking garden centers and nurseries that may be willing to donate annual fruit and vegetable plants to these growers so they can replant some of their crops.

MDA Assistant Commissioner Matthew Wohlman says if the need is great enough, a process will be put in place through the Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network (MFAN) to help connect the affected growers with nurseries and garden centers willing to donate plants that would otherwise be discarded.

“We know that there are losses and we know that many nurseries are ready to discard plants that they haven’t sold this season,” Wohlman said. “It only makes sense that we try to match up the need with the availability of plants and help some of these vegetable farmers replant their crop.”

MDA is asking farmers or community gardens that suffered crop losses due to floods or storms and are in need of annual fruit and vegetable plants to call MFAN at 1-877-898-MFAN (6326). Nurseries or garden centers willing to donate excess fruit and vegetables are asked to call the same number, 1-877-898-MFAN. When calling the number, press zero (0) to leave a message.