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February 13, 2026
Seed analysts closely examine samples, evaluating the sample seed by seed to ensure label accuracy and absence of noxious weed seeds.
Noxious weeds can enter Minnesota through multiple pathways. They may hitch a ride in tire treads, arrive as unwanted guests in materials, or travel unnoticed in retail seed. Fortunately, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) seed inspectors and seed lab analysts are on the case, working to help stop noxious weed seeds before they can spread in the state.
Seed inspectors visit sites that process, label, and sell seed to farmers, installers, and consumers. A lot of seed travels within Minnesota whether it be for crops, landscaping, or in a backyard. To help ensure retail seed sold in the state is free of noxious weed seeds, seed inspectors review seed labels to verify compliance with state regulations and confirm noxious weeds aren’t using this pathway.
This product contains buckhorn plantain over the 25 seeds per pound limit. Limiting this restricted weed seed helps prevent further spread in Minnesota. When inspectors see this on a label, they issue a stop sale and educate the site.
If prohibited or over-limit restricted noxious weed seeds are found, inspectors issue a stop sale to prevent the sale and movement of potentially infested seed. While this helps end transactions, inspectors also dedicate a significant amount of time to communicating regulations and sharing knowledge with the site. This education-to-compliance approach helps sites understand why regulation occurs, what their next steps may be, and builds strong relationships between the regulatory program and its stakeholders.
An inspector reviews a label for noxious weed seed content along with other regulatory requirements. The inspector also takes a sample for testing by seed lab analysts.
What if a noxious weed seed isn’t listed on the label but may still be hiding in the product? That’s where seed lab analysts come in! During inspections, samples are collected and sent to the lab where seed analysts carefully examine the contents seed by seed to verify label accuracy and ensure noxious weed seeds are not hitchhiking in the product. While the seed industry completes quality controls to help prevent the spread of noxious weeds seeds, the state regulatory program provides an additional layer of protection to keep noxious weed seed out of Minnesota.
Seed analysts separate sample contents in major categories, including intended ingredients (ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass), inert matter, other crop seed, and weed seeds.
To learn more about how the MDA Seed Program helps prevent the spread of noxious weeds, visit the Seed Program webpage.
New Smarty Plants Episode: Consumer Protections on the Smallest Scale
Smarty Plants is a podcast exploring invasive insects and noxious weeds that threaten Minnesota’s natural and agricultural resources.
Sitting down with a big bowl of salad or admiring the beauty of our plants, it isn't always in the forefront of our minds where those things came from, a tiny little seed. On this episode of Smarty Plants, Michael Merriman and Shane Blair from the MDA Seed Program join us to discuss the in-depth work that goes into seed sales in Minnesota and how the program helps protect consumers and agriculture. Michael also recalls the seed conundrum of 2020, when thousands of people began receiving unsolicited mystery seeds in the mail.
Subscribe to Smarty Plants today so you don’t miss an episode!
In the Field: Outreach in Action
 Outreach is a key part of the Plant Protection Division’s (PPD) efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species and emerging pests. Through reporting tools, digital campaigns, in-person events, and interagency collaboration, PPD outreach keeps residents and industry professionals informed and engaged in prevention and early detection.
Staff participate in environmental education days, industry trade shows, and conferences to share information on invasive species prevention and emerging pest concerns. From the Minnesota State Fair to the Minnesota Organic Conference, outreach connects with people across the state.
In addition to in-person events, outreach occurs through the Report a Pest system, a citizen reporting tool that improves awareness and supports early detection. Ongoing communication tools include the monthly Plant Pest Insider (PPI) newsletter and the Smarty Plants podcast. The PPI provides timely updates on invasive pests and highlights ongoing pest management, while Smarty Plants covers the work of the Plant Protection Division through interviews with researchers, agency leaders, and subject matter experts.
Seasonal outreach focuses on holiday greenery and Christmas tree pests, such as elongate hemlock scale. Messaging highlights signs of infestation and proper disposal methods. These efforts are coordinated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and shared through press releases, social media, and short video content.
Digital campaigns complement in-person outreach. Ads ran on Google Display, Meta, and YouTube throughout the summer and into the fall of 2025, including the Buy Local, Burn Local campaign and a statewide forest pest prevention animation. Geo-targeted YouTube ads in five southeastern Minnesota counties focused on pest detection and prevention in areas at risk for tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly expansion.
By combining reporting tools, newsletters, podcasts, in-person engagement, seasonal campaigns, and digital advertising, outreach efforts continue to raise awareness, educate the public, and strengthen Minnesota’s early detection network for invasive species.
Visit the MDA at an upcoming event:
February Weed of the Month: Changes to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List
Stiltgrass forms a low growing mat on the ground that inhibits native plants. Photo courtesy Jennifer Larson, United States Forest Service.
Changes took place on January 1
By Monika Chandler, Minnesota Department of Agriculture - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC) assesses plant species to determine if they are a threat to Minnesota and whether regulation could reduce the threat level. Rigorous risk assessments are written for the plant species, and regulatory recommendations are provided to the commissioner of agriculture. Potential recommendations include listing a species as prohibited eradicate, prohibited control, restricted, specially regulated, or do not list. The commissioner reviews each recommendation and decides whether to accept or reject it.
Read more
Join the Spongy Moth Trapping Survey Team
This announcement is for approximately 20 Forest Pest Surveyor positions with the MDA’s annual Spongy Moth Trapping Survey.
Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is both a human nuisance and a serious threat to Minnesota’s forests, urban trees, and shrubs. Once established, the caterpillars can cause costly and widespread defoliation during outbreaks. The trapping survey helps detect and monitor the pest early, identify potential problem areas, and provides data needed for future management decisions to slow the spread of this invasive insect in Minnesota.
Job duties include assembling, placing, inspecting, and removing up to 800 cardboard detection traps. Surveyors will each be assigned a route reasonably accessible from their home office location. Data collection is done using a GPS-enabled tablet (training provided), and surveyors report daily to a lead worker.
These are intermittent positions, meaning survey staff work as needed throughout the survey period. Read the full position description and apply today!
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Help Protect Minnesota Forests from Invasive Pests
Look for the MDA certified logo.
Moving untreated firewood can spread harmful pests like emerald ash borer, spongy moth, and Asian longhorned beetle; species that have destroyed millions of trees across the United States. Even native pests like carpenter ants and bark beetles can hitch a ride on firewood and cause problems for homeowners.
Help stop the spread:
- Buy firewood where you burn it! Locally sourced wood is less likely to carry invasive pests.
- Use MDA certified firewood with the official seal. View the list of Certified Firewood Producers in Minnesota.
- Avoid transporting hardwood firewood across county or state lines. It is illegal to move hardwood firewood out of Minnesota quarantined counties unless it is MDA certified. Violations can result in fines of up to $7,500 per day.
Visit the MDA's Buying Firewood webpage for more information.
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