Town Hall Reflections

Last week I attended a town hall hosted by the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU).  The purpose of these town hall events is for MFU staff and local legislative leaders to listen to what farmers are saying about issues that impact them. It’s an opportunity for farmers to share their stories and experiences as well as their ideas on how to fix things. I think most farmers have a “fix it” mindset where they not only think about the problems but also how to fix it. It’s part of our day to day lives so it’s natural that this mentality transfers.

I attended with a couple goals in mind. First, I wanted to hear from other farmers about their thoughts on the state of things. I also, wanted to share about how the federal Local Foods Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program had such a positive impact on our farm and in our community. More on that below. Finally, I wanted to share how access to affordable healthcare is the biggest thing holding my farm and my family back.

So what were other farmers saying? Many farmers had commented on how ICE actions in Minnesota disturbed them. Everyone was in agreement that undocumented immigrants with violent criminal offenses ought to be deported but that ICE had gone too far with detaining children, families, and folks just trying to work. Farmers also commented on how tariffs are impacting commodity markets and their concern for regaining stable foreign export markets that they rely on after this administration has gone. Conservation was also something that came up. Farmers applauded programs where they could be paid for planting cover crops which help to protect the soil and water.

Back to Local Foods Purchasing Assistance (LFPA). I made a comment on how the cuts to the federal LFPA program were disheartening. My view is that LFPA was the first time local foods production was subsidized the way commodities are subsidized. Thom Peterson who is the Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture was in attendance. He had shared how he recently was in Washington D.C. with other states’ commissioners of agriculture and that there was broad bi-partisan support for LFPA. It gave me some hope that we might see the restoration of LFPA or a program like it at the federal level.

At the state level, Minnesota passed an LFPA program in the 2025 legislative session. Unfortunately, the state doesn’t have the resources the federal government does so the state version is funded at just $700,000 compared to the $18 million the federal version allotted the state of Minnesota. But, MFU staffers are working to increase that funding and reached out to me to encourage my state senator to co-sponsor a bill to increase the funding. I’m happy to share that it sounds like a co-sponsored bill will be authored. We’ll see if it hits the floor this legislative session and gets signed into law.

That is why I’m part of the Minnesota Farmers Union. MFU helps facilitate change and advocates for issues that are important to farmers and thereby eaters. They help handle the details of writing the bills and getting the right people in a room together. They help amplify farmers voices where we would otherwise go ignored.