By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has expanded the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN) by adding three new weather stations in Southern Minnesota. This initiative marks a major step in improving access to real-time environmental data for producers statewide.
Two stations are located near Leota and Luverne in Rock County, while the third is situated between Elkton and Adams in Mower County. These installations help fill coverage gaps and provide localized information to support farmers’ decisions related to irrigation, soil health, and water use.
“These stations give farmers access to the weather data they’ve been missing,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “It’s about providing tools that help producers protect their land, use water wisely, and adapt quickly to changing conditions.”
Each MAWN station records a wide range of environmental data, including rainfall, air temperature, wind speed, dew point, soil temperature and moisture at varying depths, solar radiation, and snow measurements.
The network also delivers decision-making tools such as daily crop water use estimates, disease risk forecasts, irrigation scheduling guidance, and runoff risk predictions. MAWN operates in partnership with the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN), making Minnesota’s data accessible through the NDAWN Inversion App and website.
In 2023, MDA received $3 million from Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund to expand MAWN further. This funding supports approximately 40 new weather stations over three years in collaboration with local partners and landowners. Nearly 20 stations have already been added this year.
Landowners interested in hosting a weather station can apply through the MDA’s website. This expansion ensures Minnesota farmers have the reliable, site-specific weather information they need to make informed decisions and promote sustainable farming practices statewide.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-tlillico
Categories: Minnesota, Weather