Christopher Vondracek

Agriculture Reporter

Agriculture

Vondracek has reported on prairie dog lawsuits in the Black Hills to federal education policy in Washington D.C. A native of Faribault County, Minnesota, he’s a graduate of the University of South Dakota, holds an MFA from Hamline University, and taught college English for many years in Winona and St. Paul. His debut collection of poetry, Rattlesnake Summer, was published in 2020, and his memoir, Dancing with Welk, in 2022. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Carrie, and daughter, Rosie.

Vondracek has reported on prairie dog lawsuits in the Black Hills to federal education policy in Washington D.C. A native of Faribault County, Minnesota, he’s a graduate of the University of South Dakota, holds an MFA from Hamline University, and taught college English for many years in Winona and St. Paul. His debut collection of poetry, Rattlesnake Summer, was published in 2020, and his memoir, Dancing with Welk, in 2022. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Carrie, and daughter, Rosie.

Contact

christopher.vondracek@startribune.com

612-673-4811

Latest from Christopher Vondracek

Agriculture

Minnesota farmers brace for new Trump tariffs

Trade wars rocked grain markets during the Republican’s first administration. They hope, this time, to underscore the global ties of one of rural Minnesota’s biggest industries.

January 20, 2025

Agriculture

Ellison sues John Deere, says farmers aren’t allowed to fix their own tractors

Minnesota’s attorney general joins the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Illinois in litigation against the iconic American tractor company.

January 16, 2025

Agriculture

Two Minnesotans in Congress will lead Democrats in farm policy

Sen. Klobuchar was long expected to reign atop her party’s farm state voices in the Senate. But when Rep. Angie Craig, the suburban Democrat, mounted a campaign to capture her chamber’s ranking-member spot on the Agriculture Committee, Minnesota voters gained rare congressional leverage.

January 10, 2025

Greater Minnesota

Longtime Bois Forte tribal chair resigns, citing her mental health

Catherine Chavers oversaw the historic land reclamation in 2022 and steered the tribe through COVID.

January 3, 2025