minnesotA dePArtment oF nAturAl resources looKing to hire

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is holding two open-house-style career fairs for anyone interested in learning about becoming a conservation officer. The career fairs are part of the agency’s current CO Prep program application period, which runs through March 31 and is for people without previous law enforcement experience.

The career fairs are Wednesday, March 15, from 4-7 p.m. at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul, and Monday, March 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, 2101 14th St. in Cloquet.

Anyone with at least a two-year degree and a love for the outdoors can apply for the CO Prep program, which is a key part of the DNR Enforcement Division’s effort to create a workforce that more closely resembles the diverse communities it serves.

“We’re looking for people who are hardworking and honest, and who possess a high degree of integrity,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, di- rector of the DNR Enforcement Division. “If they have those intrinsic traits, we can teach them to be good natural resources law enforcement officers.”

Multiple DNR conservation officers, including those who have gone through the CO Prep program, will be at the career fairs to answer questions and share their perspectives on

oPen house mArch 15 For hwy 22/dodd roAd

You’re invited! MnDOT, in partnership with the City of St. Peter and Nicollet County, is hosting an open house on Wednesday, March 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the St. Peter Community Center Senior Room (600 South 5th St.) to gather feed- back on design concepts for Hwy 22/Dodd Rd. There is no formal presentation planned, and people are welcome to arrive anytime to review concepts, talk with project staff, and share input. Not able to attend? We still want your input! View design concepts on the project website and complete an online survey to provide input now through March 31.

More about this project MnDOT, the City of St. Peter, and Nicollet County are currently conducting a transportation study to identify opportunities to improve safety and mobility along Hwy 22/ Dodd Rd. in St. Peter. With input from residents, businesses, the St. Peter school district, and other project stakeholders, project partners

mdA oFFers mini-grAnt For Produce growers

St. Paul, MN: Minnesota produce farmers who improve on-farm food safety systems may be eligible to reimburse their expenses through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2023 Produce Safety Mini-Grant, which is now accepting applications.

The Produce Safety Mini-Grant

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the career with attendees. Additional information, including a link to the application and location details, is on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ enforcement/careers). Later this year, the DNR will open an application period for people with law enforcement experience who are interested in becoming a conservation officer.

evaluated traffic data, developed design concepts, and will arrive at a preferred concept that will shape a future project, currently planned for 2028 construction. For more information about the study, visit mndot. gov/d7/projects/hwy22doddroad

AsK A troPPer

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Are smoked tail lights illegal in Minnesota?

Answer: Minnesota law states that “tail lamps shall be plainly visible from a distance of 100 feet to the rear during normal sunlight and at night.” info@nicolletcountyledger.com will distribute a total of approximately $26,400. Awardees will receive up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required. Applicants must be a Minnesota produce farmer that sells one or more of the following crops to be eligible: leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, or tomatoes.

The same goes for turn signals and headlights. Smoking, tinting, covering or placing any material over tail lights, brake lights, headlights or turn signals would be illegal and unsafe as they would not be plainly visible. It is illegal in all 50 states, because it is a major safety concern.

I recommend getting into the habit of checking and keeping your rear lights clear of any snow, mud, dirt, dust or anything that can obstruct your lights. You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and of course, drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48 th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state. mn.us.

Growers may be reimbursed for past expenses occurring January 1, 2022 – March 25, 2023, and future expenses taking place March 26, 2023 – July 14, 2023. Examples of eligible expenses in- clude: Supplies to build or purchase a portable handwashing station

Harvest totes or collection tools

Water testing for generic coli

Consultation fees for developing an on-farm food safety plan

Waxed boxes and market containers

Additional information and the online application are available on the MDA website at www.mda.state. mn.us/minigrant.

Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 to request a paper copy. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2023.

SEASONAL LOAD LIMIT NOTIFICATION: MNDOT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions in the SOUTH SLL zone Monday, March 13, 2023 at 12:01 AM. Winter load increases have already ended in the SOUTH, SOUTHEAST and METRO zones.

Spring load restrictions have already been scheduled to start in the SOUTHEAST and METRO zones on Friday, March 10.

Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map. Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.

gov/loadlimits.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits).

Full-summer overweight permits can be issued, during the spring load restriction period, for travel on the interstate system only.

Middle-range overweight permits become available within each SLL zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full-summer overweight permits become available two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted. Ending dates for spring load restric- tions are variable and based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.

MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

For questions about legal axle weight during SLR; Gross Vehicle Weight Schedule, call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Patrol – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 651-350-2000

For questions about oversize/overweight loads/permitting call: Minnesota Department of Transportation

Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations – Oversize/Overweight Permits 651-296-6000 Or email: ofcvopermits. dot@state.mn.us

All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.

For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This information is also published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits website at mndot.gov/loadlimits.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn. org.

YFI Leadership Offers $1,000 Scholarship to Youth

Participants will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the U of M College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences St. Paul, Minn. (March 9, 2023) –High school students across the state are invited to submit a paper and participate in the Minnesota Youth Institute (MNYI) on May 17, 2023, for an educational program hosted by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and the World Food Prize Foundation.

At the event, students will engage with leaders in science, policy and industry to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges in hunger and poverty.

In order to participate in the program, students research and write a paper on a global challenge affecting food security. They research the country’s food security status then provide recommendations on how to solve issues. Students are then invited to attend a day-long event on campus and engage in hands-on STEM immersions. They present their solutions in roundtables, allowing them to reflect on their unique role in addressing challenges related to agriculture, policy, science, industry, and hunger relief efforts. Students, teachers, parents, and community members can learn more here.

By participating, 9th to 12th grade students will:

Receive a $1,000 scholarship to University of Minnesota CFANS

Present their ideas to statewide peers and experts on May 17

Access other opportunities, such as participating in research fellowships, exploring international internships, advancing to the Global Youth Institute, and more Hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota since 2008, the MNYI was started by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, a U of M alumnus credited with saving more than a million lives, who always encouraged youth to be in discussions of complex issues through programs like the MNYI.

The World Food Prize was also created by Borlaug in 1986. It is the foremost international award recognizing individuals whose achievements have advanced human development by increasing the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

For their participation, the students are recognized as Borlaug Scholars and are eligible for special scholarships, internships and other professional opportunities, including paid Wallace-Carver Fellowships at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A select few also will advance to the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, a gathering of more than 1,000 world leaders working to advance food security, agriculture and human development.

The Global Youth Institute was developed to challenge and inspire participating students and teachers to identify innovative strategies to alleviate hunger and to expose students to opportunities and careers in food, agriculture and natural resource disciplines.

Of the students who complete the Global Youth Institute, about 92 percent go on to pursue college degrees in agriculture and science, and 77 percent choose careers in agriculture, STEM and other fields critical to the fight against hunger. The Institute also boasts an impressive two-thirds participation by young women. Dr. Borlaug often stated, “I am certain that these students will become the future agricultural, scientific and humanitarian leaders in the fight to end hunger.” bill aligns Minnesota with the rest ofChapter 9, House File 50: This bill authorizes the DNR to

High school educators and students interested in participating in the 2023 Minnesota Youth Institute can visit http://mnyi.cfans.umn.edu/ for more information. For answers to questions about MNYI or the research papers, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and contact mnyi@umn. edu.