Farm Progress

Ag groups unite to educate Minnesota candidates

The goal is to promote the state’s ag with House and gubernatorial candidates.

Paula Mohr, Editor, The Farmer

August 20, 2018

2 Min Read
ROOM FOR GROWTH: Minnesota’s agriculture, the state’s second-largest economic sector, has room for growth, according to A Greater Minnesota.

 There’s a positive message to share with political candidates and voters about Minnesota agriculture, and a coalition of farm and agribusiness organizations are working to tell it.

The coalition, known as A Greater Minnesota, is focusing on the richness of ag production and food processing in the state, says Adam Birr, Minnesota Corn Growers Association executive director. MCGA is one of AGM’s partners.

“Sometimes we don’t toot our own horn enough,” Birr says. “We want to elevate Minnesota agriculture to one of the nation’s leading states in the food, farming and agriculture sector. While we’re near the top, we still have room to grow.”

AGM leaders decided to emphasize four areas with candidates that they believe will have an impact in elevating the state as a national ag leader. They are: research and innovation, clean water, an outcome-based regulatory system, and tax policies that stimulate growth and jobs.

Areas of growth
To enhance research and innovation, Birr says AGM wants to see state funding strengthened in the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Technology Transfer Program. The program, created by the state Legislature in 2015, focuses on adding research staff and infrastructure to University of Minnesota ag colleges and Extension throughout the state.

In the clean water area, AGM wants to maximize funds for more on-the-ground projects from the state’s Clean Water Legacy program.

Regarding regulations, Birr says the AGM wants a new regulation model, one that is transparent and focuses on outcomes, rather than checking boxes for following a process.

For tax policies, AGM wants to see taxes stimulate growth, which will help boost rural community vitality.

Birr says AGM has sent letters to all candidates running for the Minnesota House of Representatives and for governor, asking for their support of AGM’s plan, and where they stand on food and ag issues. As of early August, 20 candidates had submitted responses.

Besides MCGA, other AGM coalition partners include Minnesota AgriGrowth, Minnesota Pork Producers, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Chicken and Egg Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, Minnesota Milk Producers and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association.

More information on AGM is available at farmandfoodmn.org.

 

 

About the Author

Paula Mohr

Editor, The Farmer

Mohr is former editor of The Farmer.

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