ST. PAUL – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members heard from Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Kades, Fordham University Law Professor Zephyr Teachout and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on the first full day of their 83^rd annual state convention.

The state convention began Friday afternoon and continues through today at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast, Minneapolis.

Kades has authored several reports and articles on antitrust policy, and he previously worked as antitrust counsel for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

Kades said the DOJ made major strides in revitalizing antitrust enforcement during the Biden administration. The conversation has changed, he said, with groups coming to Washington and sharing concerns about consolidation. As a result, attorneys are bringing more cases forward.

“It’s about fairness and it’s about competition,” Kades said.

Teachout focuses on the intersection of corporate power and political power in her research. Her book, Break ‘em Up, makes a case for reimagining the relationship between democracy and antimonopoly law.

“Greedy monopolistic corporations have driven up the prices of food, gas, seeds, fertilizer and housing, while pushing down wages and making it much harder for the small business owner or farmer to have a fair chance to compete,” Teachout said. “We have to build power in every corner of every state so that we can stop the plunder of people’s lives–and our democracy.”

Ellison is the 30^th attorney general of Minnesota and has long been a champion of helping people afford their lives and live with dignity, safety and respect.

“We’re not going to let changes at the national level slow down what we’re building in Minnesota,” Ellison said. “We’re fighting to fix a broken agriculture sector, where consolidation has pushed so many to the brink.”

Farmers Union is working to highlight the importance of a fair and competitive economy through its Fairness for Farmers campaign.

“Our Fairness for Farmers campaign is all about fairness: Fairness for farmers, fairness for workers, fairness for consumers,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “It’s about creating a fair economy for all. An economy that isn’t ‘get big or get out.’ An economy where the rewards are spread out among those who do the work. Antitrust enforcement is vital to this work. I thank antitrust leaders Teachout, Kades and Ellison for delivering inspiring messages to our members.”

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 and Instagram.

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