MDA Offering Free Nitrate Testing at Farmfest: High levels in private wells can pose serious health risks

MDA Offering Free Nitrate Testing at Farmfest: High levels in private wells can pose serious health risks

St. Paul, Minn: Attendees at Farmfest 2026 are encouraged to stop by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) exhibit for information on a wide range of agriculture programs and resources—including a free, onsite nitrate testing clinic for private well users. The annual event runs Aug. 4–6 at the Historic Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.

Researcher: Nitrate exposure a growing public health concern

Concerns about nitrate contamination in Nebraska’s groundwater extend well beyond drinking water quality, reaching into questions about infant health, cancer research and the long-term health of rural communities, according to University of Nebraska Medical Center researcher Dr. Jesse Bell.Speaking July 18 at the Grain Place Foundation’s Field Day in Aurora, Bell said scientific studies have identified associations between elevated nitrate conce…