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
Minnesota farmers leave fields for D.C. to lobby for farm bill passage
National Farmers Union members said uncertain economic times make the provisions in the bill even more important.
May 8, 2025
Controversial Twin Metals mine project could get second life after key congressional OK
A provision that would reopen the mineral lease process for the northern Minnesota copper-nickel mine was included in a key budget proposal.
May 7, 2025
Refinery says Minnesota gas prices could be higher this summer because of ethanol
Oil refiner Flint Hills says Minnesotans, and other Midwesterners, could pay more at the pump due to a patchwork E15 approach approved by the Trump administration’s EPA.
April 23, 2025
Minnesota Catholics mourn Pope Francis and his ‘gospel of mercy’
At an afternoon Cathedral mass led by Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Francis was remembered for his commitment to social justice and forgiveness.
April 21, 2025
Wisconsin man claims Minnesota feedlot operators broke cattle-rustling law
The man wants $4.1 million from Pequot Lakes feedlot for disappearance of nearly 600 cattle. The feedlot operators say the cattle died of disease.
April 18, 2025
In Minnesota’s soybean country, trade war with China hits hard
Soybeans are the state’s largest export to China, and southern Minnesota farmers are worried about the effect of skyrocketing tariffs.
April 11, 2025
Anxiety increases over possibility that Duluth EPA Great Lakes lab could close
Klobuchar, Smith send letter to EPA administrator as doubt mounts that the lab’s 170 jobs are safe.
April 10, 2025
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
