The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is urging produce farmers who have not previously completed the Grower Questionnaire, or who have not done so since 2022, to participate in the 2025 edition. The questionnaire helps farmers understand applicable federal food safety requirements and access support for improving food safety practices.
Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey emphasized the importance of the initiative: “The Grower Questionnaire helps us stay informed about Minnesota’s evolving produce industry and allows us to support farms in improving food safety practices and keeping local produce safe for consumers.”
Participation in the questionnaire also opens eligibility for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant, which offers up to $800 in reimbursements for on-farm food safety improvements. Applications for this grant will be available later in the winter season.
The MDA advises that each produce farm should complete the Grower Questionnaire every three years. Information collected is kept private and confidential, with only general farm statistics shared publicly.
If farmers opt not to complete the questionnaire, they may be contacted by the MDA Produce Safety Program regarding potential inspection requirements.
Farmers can fill out the 2025 MDA Grower Questionnaire online. For those preferring a paper copy or needing more information, they can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 or email producesafety.mda@state.mn.us.
