Farmers meet from across the state

Carlton County Farmers Union representatives joined their colleagues at the annual state convention of the Minnesota Farmers Union in Minneapolis Nov. 17-19. The goals of the convention are to celebrate legislative victories, plan initiatives, strengthen ties, and share outstanding meals from farms in the state.

Local president Mark Thell, his wife, Terri, and I, as a delegate, attended the two-day event. The Marriott Northeast featured food sourced from Minnesota growers, including pork products from Y-ker Acres of Carlton, eggs from Locally Laid of Wrenshall, and various products from Upper Lakes Foods of Cloquet.

Every fall, 200 delegates from five state districts attend seminars, update policy for lobbying, hear and approve reports, hear invited high-level elected officials, and refresh the person-to-person networks of a movement that has benefited small and medium-sized family farms in Minnesota for a century.

In legislative news, especially satisfying this year for Carlton County residents are these provisions: a step toward making MinnesotaCare health insurance open to farmers and small businesses regardless of income level, establishment of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, expansion of meat processing facilities, support for beginning and emerging farmers, increased funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and support to improve soil health. Counties to the south that feature grain production are pleased by an indemnity fund to protect farmers against loss when elevators fail, as well as increased support for biofuels.

Well-known officials who addressed the assembly this year included U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman. Other legislative leaders who spoke are Minnesota Sen. Aric Putnam and Minnesota Rep. Samantha Vang, each chairing the agriculture committee in their respective chambers. They emphasized the powerful role MFU plays in advocating for family farmers in the state and opposing the deep-pocketed advocates of corporate consolidation, mergers, and profits over people.

MFU president Gary Wertish highlighted the organization's many accomplishments in the areas of education, industry and commerce, and legislation. He was especially proud that when President Joe Biden decided to tour the country to feature his administration's achievements and initiatives in agriculture, Minnesota was chosen as the starting point, and the White House contacted MFU to locate a welcoming farm. On Nov. 1, MFU members Brad and Nancy Kluver and their family, who raise hogs near Northfield, received national press coverage when Biden and the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack toured their farm and said small and medium-sized family farms are drivers of community building.

The main business of the delegate assembly is to update the MFU's 100-page "policy statement" and "special orders of business." During the debates on principle and wording, an attentive observer discovers these trends in Minnesota agriculture: the emergence of highly motivated young people seeking careers in farming, a passion for regenerating the soil and nurturing healthy livestock, opposition to large-scale schemes that maximize extractive practices for increased profit, and persistent efforts to strengthen community.

Contact Sandy at [email protected].