Michael Happ
@michaelhapp.bsky.social
Minnesota-based, Illinois raised. Interests include climate, agriculture, public policy, wildlife, and passenger rail. Views my own.
Reposted by Michael Happ
While we work nationally & internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago. Our community has been facing a surge of ICE violence. Here’s how you can help: www.iatp.org/ice-in-minne...
An Update from Minneapolis: What’s going on, and how you can help
While we work nationally and internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago.
www.iatp.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
While we work nationally & internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago. Our community has been facing a surge of ICE violence. Here’s how you can help: www.iatp.org/ice-in-minne...
Reposted by Michael Happ
ICE just confronted us in our car saying it’s our first & final warning. There’s nothing illegal about driving your car safely on Stinson, Lowry, or any street in our community.
They are purposefully surging at school get out times terrorizing our families. Ice needs to stay away from our kids.
They are purposefully surging at school get out times terrorizing our families. Ice needs to stay away from our kids.
January 14, 2026 at 9:57 PM
ICE just confronted us in our car saying it’s our first & final warning. There’s nothing illegal about driving your car safely on Stinson, Lowry, or any street in our community.
They are purposefully surging at school get out times terrorizing our families. Ice needs to stay away from our kids.
They are purposefully surging at school get out times terrorizing our families. Ice needs to stay away from our kids.
Cruelty begets more cruelty. This action by Secretary Rollins isn’t about fraud, it looks to me like it’s about having people go hungry in the middle of winter because the administration doesn’t like Minnesota’s Governor.
The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.
January 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Cruelty begets more cruelty. This action by Secretary Rollins isn’t about fraud, it looks to me like it’s about having people go hungry in the middle of winter because the administration doesn’t like Minnesota’s Governor.
Reposted by Michael Happ
IATP condemns the murder of Renee Nicole Good yesterday at the hands of ICE agents. ICE has brought chaos and violence to our city of Minneapolis and across the U.S. No one in our communities should have to endure this — regardless of citizenship status. We call for ICE to be abolished immediately.
January 8, 2026 at 6:27 PM
IATP condemns the murder of Renee Nicole Good yesterday at the hands of ICE agents. ICE has brought chaos and violence to our city of Minneapolis and across the U.S. No one in our communities should have to endure this — regardless of citizenship status. We call for ICE to be abolished immediately.
Reposted by Michael Happ
One of my uncles was kidnapped by ICE yesterday. He was always there for my family and even helped my family afford my graduation party when I graduated college. 💔
Anything helps. ICE has no humanity. Hard workers literally being torn from their families.
gofund.me/d84e22b46
Anything helps. ICE has no humanity. Hard workers literally being torn from their families.
gofund.me/d84e22b46
Donate to Help Bring Jesus Martinez Home, Ayuden nos a traer a mi papa, organized by Marisol Sandoval
Hi, my name is Luis Mendoza Martinez. On Monday, January 5th,… Marisol Sandoval needs your support for Help Bring Jesus Martinez Home, Ayuden nos a traer a mi papa
gofund.me
January 7, 2026 at 12:47 AM
One of my uncles was kidnapped by ICE yesterday. He was always there for my family and even helped my family afford my graduation party when I graduated college. 💔
Anything helps. ICE has no humanity. Hard workers literally being torn from their families.
gofund.me/d84e22b46
Anything helps. ICE has no humanity. Hard workers literally being torn from their families.
gofund.me/d84e22b46
Reposted by Michael Happ
For years, well over half of farmer applicants to a key farmer conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have been turned away. Meanwhile, expensive and polluting practices have been eating up a disproportionate share of the program's dollars. (1/2)
Costly versus cost-effective
This report takes a close look at the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a farmer-focused conservation cost-share program. In the report, we examine the agricultural practices that EQIP ...
www.iatp.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
For years, well over half of farmer applicants to a key farmer conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have been turned away. Meanwhile, expensive and polluting practices have been eating up a disproportionate share of the program's dollars. (1/2)
Reposted by Michael Happ
📢 We’re hiring! NSAC seeks an experienced People & Culture professional to support HR operations & help foster a collaborative, dynamic workplace.📆 Apply by Friday, 1/9/2026🔗Job details & application: sustainableagriculture.net/about-us/jobs/ #JoinOurTeam #ApplyNow #SustainableAgriculture
December 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
📢 We’re hiring! NSAC seeks an experienced People & Culture professional to support HR operations & help foster a collaborative, dynamic workplace.📆 Apply by Friday, 1/9/2026🔗Job details & application: sustainableagriculture.net/about-us/jobs/ #JoinOurTeam #ApplyNow #SustainableAgriculture
Reposted by Michael Happ
The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, to compensate for diminished export markets caused by the administration’s chaotic trade policies. But this aid package is an inadequate response to a deeply broken agriculture economy. www.iatp.org/farmer-bailo...
Farmer bailout package is a quick fix that fails to address systemic issues
MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, created to soften the blow of diminished export markets due to the administration’s own chaotic trade polic...
www.iatp.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, to compensate for diminished export markets caused by the administration’s chaotic trade policies. But this aid package is an inadequate response to a deeply broken agriculture economy. www.iatp.org/farmer-bailo...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Apart from Minnesota’s biting cold this week, one complication in Trump’s plan to deport Somalis from Minnesota through immigration enforcement is that the vast majority of Americans and Minnesotans of Somali descent are U.S. citizens, many of whom were born here.
Most Somali people in America and Minnesota are citizens • Minnesota Reformer
Apart from Minnesota’s biting cold this week, one complication in Trump’s plan to deport Somalis from Minnesota through immigration enforcement is that the vast majority of Americans and Minnesotans o...
minnesotareformer.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Apart from Minnesota’s biting cold this week, one complication in Trump’s plan to deport Somalis from Minnesota through immigration enforcement is that the vast majority of Americans and Minnesotans of Somali descent are U.S. citizens, many of whom were born here.
Reposted by Michael Happ
Today is Giving Tuesday! With your support, we can keep building food systems that nourish kids, support farmers, and strengthen local economies.
Join us with your gift on this global day of giving! ➡️ www.iatp.org/donate
Join us with your gift on this global day of giving! ➡️ www.iatp.org/donate
December 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Today is Giving Tuesday! With your support, we can keep building food systems that nourish kids, support farmers, and strengthen local economies.
Join us with your gift on this global day of giving! ➡️ www.iatp.org/donate
Join us with your gift on this global day of giving! ➡️ www.iatp.org/donate
Reposted by Michael Happ
This is a very good idea.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Hey winter cyclists: the smartest thing I've done after threatening to do it for too many years was actually write down what to wear based on temperature. This helped immensely last year, and winter is coming 🥶
November 25, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This is a very good idea.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Reposted by Michael Happ
Today is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota!
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Support IATP on GTMD2025!
Fresh Local Food on Every Child's Plate
give.mn
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Today is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota!
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Reposted by Michael Happ
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Updated EWG database finds over $31B spent on U.S. farm conservation programs
MINNEAPOLIS – Between 2017 and 2024, U.S.
www.ewg.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on certain goods. But many questions remain about the details of the agreement, leaving farmers with more uncertainty. Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/china-trade-...
Is the deal with China an agreement or a handshake?
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on precious minerals, lower tariffs, and increase agricultural purchases.
www.iatp.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on certain goods. But many questions remain about the details of the agreement, leaving farmers with more uncertainty. Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/china-trade-...
Reposted by Michael Happ
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the USDA’s plans to move staff and close field offices. buff.ly/5sIEEnW
Deal to End Government Shutdown May Also Slow USDA Reorganization
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the agency’s plans to move staff and close field offices.
buff.ly
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the USDA’s plans to move staff and close field offices. buff.ly/5sIEEnW
Reposted by Michael Happ
The Senate’s deal to reopen the government has a number of problems that will hurt farmers and rural communities. The Senate attaches a 12-month Farm Bill extension to the deal, setting up the possibility for more chaos a year from now. 🧵
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The Senate’s deal to reopen the government has a number of problems that will hurt farmers and rural communities. The Senate attaches a 12-month Farm Bill extension to the deal, setting up the possibility for more chaos a year from now. 🧵
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
November 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
Reposted by Michael Happ
"Through a self-inflicted, perfect storm of damaging actions, the Trump administration has exposed the vulnerabilities of a fragile agriculture economy, highly dependent on exports of a few crops and reliant on immigrant labor." Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/beyond-soybe...
Beyond soybeans and China, the U.S. farm economy is broken
The plight of U.S. soybean farmers and lost exports to China has splashed across headlines this fall. Trump administration trade chaos has exposed deeper problems with an export-focused agriculture ec...
www.iatp.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"Through a self-inflicted, perfect storm of damaging actions, the Trump administration has exposed the vulnerabilities of a fragile agriculture economy, highly dependent on exports of a few crops and reliant on immigrant labor." Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/beyond-soybe...
Reposted by Michael Happ
The shutdown, combined with loss of USDA staff under Sec Rollins, is making it hard for farmers to plan for next year. Tariff and trade uncertainty + no Farm Bill making it even harder.
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard | The Daily Yonder
For Wendy Johnson, a livestock and organic grain farmer in Charles City, Iowa, October is usually the time she visits her local Natural Resources
dailyyonder.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The shutdown, combined with loss of USDA staff under Sec Rollins, is making it hard for farmers to plan for next year. Tariff and trade uncertainty + no Farm Bill making it even harder.
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
He Alone Tracked Leaky Oil Wells in National Parks. He Was Let Go.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
Reposted by Michael Happ
California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard gives credits for biogas projects at large factory farms around the country. The credits subsidize some of the largest dairy and hog operations, incentivizing expansion. New map shows which farms are tapping CA credits. www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2025/10/28/n...
New Map Catalogues Nationwide CA-Funded Factory Farm Gas Network
Lawsuit challenges key California climate program incentivizing factory farm pollution nationwide
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard gives credits for biogas projects at large factory farms around the country. The credits subsidize some of the largest dairy and hog operations, incentivizing expansion. New map shows which farms are tapping CA credits. www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2025/10/28/n...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Timely opinion piece from Pasa Sustainable Ag via @LancasterFarming. The next #farmbill must rebuild trust between farmers & the federal government. Without that, policy won’t meet the real-world needs of producers. #AgriculturePolicy #sustainableag www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news...
Farm Bill Must Restore Trust in Federal Government [Opinion]
A member of Pasa Sustainable Agriculture urges members of Congress to strive for a Farm Bill that restores Americans’ trust in the federal government.
www.lancasterfarming.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Timely opinion piece from Pasa Sustainable Ag via @LancasterFarming. The next #farmbill must rebuild trust between farmers & the federal government. Without that, policy won’t meet the real-world needs of producers. #AgriculturePolicy #sustainableag www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news...
Are we living in a post Farm Bill world? We try to answer this question and more in our latest Q&A.
Two years past the current Farm Bill's original expiration date, the future of the next Farm Bill is still unclear. In a new Q&A, IATP's Michael Happ explains what we know, what we don't, and what might be coming next: www.iatp.org/farm-bill-qa...
Q&A: What's next for the Farm Bill?
On top of trade turmoil and a U.S. government shutdown, Congress has still not passed a new Farm Bill, the primary legislation that sets a majority of U.S. food and farm policy and funding. The future...
www.iatp.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Are we living in a post Farm Bill world? We try to answer this question and more in our latest Q&A.
Reposted by Michael Happ
ICYMI - Among the many shutdown casualties is the Packers and Stockyards division. It's the latest blow to ag antitrust enforcement after USDA canceled its Farmer Seed Liaison cooperative agreement early last month.
"The shutdown is just the latest blow to agriculture antimonopoly enforcement, as the Trump administration quietly dismantles Biden-era projects."
Read more in @clairek.bsky.social's Food & Power: www.foodandpower.net/latest/shutd...
Read more in @clairek.bsky.social's Food & Power: www.foodandpower.net/latest/shutd...
Shutdown Hits Packers and Stockyards Division, USDA Cancels More Antimonopoly Projects — Food & Power
The shutdown is the latest blow to agriculture antimonopoly work, as the Trump administration cancels Biden-era projects promoting seed competition and state-level antitrust enforcement.
www.foodandpower.net
October 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
ICYMI - Among the many shutdown casualties is the Packers and Stockyards division. It's the latest blow to ag antitrust enforcement after USDA canceled its Farmer Seed Liaison cooperative agreement early last month.