ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is issuing an advisory to farmers who have conducted business with the Karlstad Farmers Elevator of Karlstad, Minn. With the closure of the elevator, the MDA is encouraging anyone who has not received payment or who had grain stored at the elevator to submit a bond claim with the Department.
The elevator, in accordance with the law, held a $70,000 bond with the Department to help grain sellers and depositors mitigate any losses. To submit a claim, a farmer will need do the following steps:
- Complete a Grain Bond Proof of Claim Form . This can be found at mda.state.mn.us/grain .
- Include supporting evidence. This is including but not limited to scale tickets, purchase agreements, purchase receipts, non-sufficient funds checks, contracts, warehouse receipts, assembly sheets, etc.
- Send in the form and supporting evidence by email to christine.mader@state.mn.us , fax to 651-201-6108, or mail to:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Fruit Vegetable & Grain Unit
625 North Robert St.
St Paul, MN 55155
Farmers should submit a claim as soon as possible. The deadline for claims is dependent on the date of non-payment.
The MDA will review all submitted claims, associated paperwork, internal documents, and records from inspector visits to determine which claims are valid. In the case of multiple valid claims, a pro-rated share is calculated and dispersed.
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Questions on this process can be directed to Christine Mader at 651-201-6620 or christine.mader@state.mn.us , or Nick Milanowski at 651-201-6076 or nicholas.milanowski@state.mn.us .
