On the farm: Chemicals threaten farmers

Farmers in Carlton County and across the state face an environmental threat that could affect their business and lead to a loss of livelihood. At a recent meeting of the Carlton County chapter of the Minnesota Farmers Union, local farmer and agricultural scientist Joshua Stamper warned that discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" or PFAs, found in soil or farm products, including dairy, meats, fruits, vegetables, and forage, can lead to disastrous losses.

PFAs are synthetic chemicals that have been used in many useful industrial and household product...