ST. PAUL – More than 70 Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members traveled to St. Paul on Feb. 4 for MFU’s Lobby Day.

Members met with nearly 40 policymakers, including Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Torrey Westrom, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and agency leaders from the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Revenue.

Members advocated for a stable budget for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Despite driving as much as a fifth of the state’s economy, the agriculture department’s budget makes up less than a half percent of the state budget. Members also discussed the need to make healthcare and childcare more affordable and accessible in rural Minnesota, ways to improve access to land for beginning farmers and why it’s important to pass agricultural Right to Repair.

“It was great to see so many members turn out to take part in the legislative process,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “We had a great mix of first-time and experienced members come to Lobby Day. MFU looks forward to continuing to advocate for family farmers throughout the legislative session.”

“With uncertainty going into spring, it was important that MFU came to St. Paul to ensure that state lawmakers are doing what they can to provide support and stability,” said MFU Vice President Anne Schwagerl. “Policymakers need to hear from people who are impacted by their decisions. By showing up, we are doing our part to make sure our state works well for family farmers.”

About Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org and follow MFU on Facebook, X, Bluesky and Instagram.

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Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org).