Christopher Vondracek
Agriculture Reporter
AgricultureVondracek 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.
Latest from Christopher Vondracek
After a decade, Minnesota beef farmers finally having a good year
The pandemic and drought drove huge sell-offs in the cattle market. This year, cattle prices are giving ranchers solid profits.
March 1, 2025
Minnesota farmers, officials worry over signaled shift in federal bird flu protocols
The changes could mean a vaccine and a decrease in the number of birds culled.
February 21, 2025
Klobuchar, trade reps slam Canada, Mexico tariff threats as bad for Minnesota farmers
At a Friday news conference, the Democratic senator was flanked by representatives of both farm and construction interests whose costs would be driven up by tariffs.
February 7, 2025
Shuttering of USAID could mean the end of millions in income for Midwest farm operations
Frozen by Elon Musk’s DOGE personnel, the USAID program purchased $70 million in commodities in 2024 from Minnesota vendors.
February 6, 2025
Criminal charges for Stearns County dairy farmer accused of withholding immigrant workforce’s pay
The dairy farmer had settled civil charges for housing workers in substandard conditions in October.
February 4, 2025
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
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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
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
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
18 years ago, federal agents raided this Minnesota meatpacking town; residents fear Round 2
A generation after a seismic immigration raid, residents of Worthington see the raid’s long shadow, but also change, in their community.
December 28, 2024
Sen. Amy Klobuchar named top Democrat on Senate farm committee
A day after Rep. Angie Craig took the ranking-member spot in the House, the Minnesota senator was named to the same position in the Senate.
December 18, 2024
Rep. Angie Craig wins top Dem post on House Agriculture Committee
The Minnesota Democrat was elected by her colleagues to the ranking member spot, as the committee is expected to work on a new farm bill.
December 18, 2024
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