The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association are celebrating “National Farmers’ Market Week” Aug. 3-9, according to a news release.

The number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. has grown dramatically in recent years - prompting local, regional and national advocates of local farming to designate a week each year to recognize their benefits.

Direct marketing of farm products through farmers’ markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide.

Eden Prairie Night Out Parties are planned tomorrow. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offers the following tips for making your party "Green:"

1. Provide recycling bins for the empty cans and bottles. If possible, buy beverages in bulk-size containers and use reusable cups.

2. When possible, e-mail information about your block party to prospective attendees to cut down on paper use. If that's not an option, print literature out double-sided, on a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer content recycled paper, available from most copy stores.

Peak West Nile virus season is here: Minnesota reports first West Nile virus cases of 2008
Use of mosquito repellents at dusk and dawn strongly urged

With the first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) disease for 2008 confirmed in three Minnesota residents, state health officials today urged Minnesotans to protect themselves from mosquitoes from now through September.

The theme of this year's Relay for Life in Eden Prairie was "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back." View scenes from the event in the following video.

By Mollee Francisco

Awareness of illnesses and healthy swimming behaviors play an important role in stopping the spread of illnesses through recreational water, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

“Germs on and in swimmers’ bodies end up in the water and can make other people sick,” said Dr. Kirk Smith, food-borne disease supervisor for MDH . “Even healthy swimmers can get sick from recreational water illnesses, but the young, elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.”

According to a news release from Regions Hospital, "Fireworks are a fun way to celebrate Independence Day, but they can also be dangerous if they are not handled properly. Every year, hospitals treat thousands of patients for injuries to their eyes, ears and hands from fireworks. Thirteen people were treated for fireworks-related injuries at Regions Hospital on or around the Fourth of July in 2007."

By Shannon Fiecke

Finally tall enough to get on the big rides, Shelbi Setchell’s 12-year-old
son was looking forward to spending much of his summer at Valleyfair.

Getting a season pass is out of the question now though, due to
a change in how the Shakopee amusement park handles customers with
disabilities.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has revised its fish consumption advisory to include a large new body of data on contaminants in fish from Minnesota lakes and rivers. The advisory is also in a new format designed to make it easier to understand while encouraging people to eat more fish.