Sen. Aric Putnam’s ag policy bill passed the Senate with a definition for Agrivoltaics and a requirement that companies label lab grown meat. Our members take great pride in their work to raise livestock and we believe that clear, informative labeling will help consumers make informed decisions.
Attention next-gen and beginning farmers!
FarmPath is a national, 3-year program designed to support aspiring and beginning farmers as they explore, plan, and build viable and sustainable farm businesses.
Deadline: March 31 @ 5pm CST
🔗: www.cognitoforms.com/FarmFoundation/FarmPathApplication2026
🌱Happy National Ag Day!🌱
Mary Metelak, co-owner and business manager of Benson + Turner Meats in Waubun, testified in support of Sen. Mary Kunesh’s bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee to increase funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program.
Melany Thomas, a certified organic producer in Clay County, testified in support of Sen. Rob Kupec’s bill directing the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to study land ownership trends in the state.
Hannah Bernhardt, a regenerative livestock producer in Pine County, testified alongside her son, Harvey, in support of Representative Nathan Nelson’s bill to establish a rotational grazing pilot program.
Sam Birkholz, owner of Pleasant Valley Orchard in Shafer, testified in support of Sen. Heather Gustafson's bill to increase funding for the Minnesota Grown program and expand access to marketing tools and resources for local producers.
Yesterday (3/23) was a very busy day at the Capitol!
A #mnleg thread 🧵
“Minneapolis-based health system says bigger will be better for patients, but economists worry about the consumer cost.”
“We absolutely have to adapt to what the climate is giving to us. Honestly, I think a lot of conservation practices are also good agronomic best management practices.”
Read our full interview with Dorian: mfufoundation.org/dorian-gatch...
MFU Vice President Anne Schwagerl testified before the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee in support of Representative Luke Frederick’s bill to fund an Agricultural Land Trends Report to better understand changes in farmland ownership across the state.
“Before Mayo Clinic posted a record $1.47 billion profit, the world-renowned medical system closed clinics and cut services in several cities across southern Minnesota.”
MFU staff and delegates are assembled in New Orleans for the 124th Annual National Farmers Union Convention! We’re excited to connect with Farmers Union delegates from across the nation and debate/vote on NFU’s policy for the year.
Cc: @nfudc.bsky.social
70+ MFU members spread out across the Capitol campus for Lobby Day 2026 to advocate for our legislative priorities this session, including:
☑️ Responding to the crisis in farm country
☑️ Lowering healthcare costs
☑️ Investing in the next generation of farmers
+ so much more
"I have learned that farming systems are really complicated, every farm is unique… Because of that I’ve tried to build programs for farmers to learn and try things together for as many farms as possible."
🔗: mfufoundation.org/natalie-hoidal-local-foods-and-vegetable-crops-educator-at-umn-extension
MFU Executive Committee member Josh VanderPol, co-owner of Pastures A Plenty in Kirkhoven, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of S.F. 3686, a state pilot program to incentivize rotational grazing through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
MFU member and outreach organizer Brenda Rudolph testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of Senator Torrey Westrom’s bill to expand the beverage options schools can offer students by allowing milk with higher fat content to be served with school meals.
MFU members Darrell Larsen and Owen Busse testified before the Senate Tax Committee this morning, and called on legislators to address the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit shortfall: “We were part of the more than 50 percent of applicants who were denied due to lack of funding.”
Our executive committee was in Staples yesterday to check in on progress at Farmers Union Processing & Meats, which will be a state-of-the-art meat processing facility for primarily beef and pork, and will partner w/ Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College to provide training for students.
Farmers and rural residents made their voices heard at our first two People’s Town Hall meetings of 2026 today in Austin and Owatonna. Folks are concerned about a number of issues, including harmful trade policies, the ICE surge in MN, and lack of access to affordable healthcare.
Join us TOMORROW (2/10) in Austin and Owatonna to make your voice heard!
Learn more and register: bit.ly/PeoplesTownHall
Membership Director Gail Donkers represented MFU during Senator Amy Klobuchar’s visit to Rodney Moe's farm in Waltham. Topics discussed included the need for a new farm bill, the impact of tariffs, and E15.
"Current economic conditions and Trump administration policies could lead to 'a widespread collapse of American agriculture,' a bipartisan coalition of former Agriculture Department officials and leaders of farm groups warned in a letter on Tuesday.”
Agricultural communities are feeling the effects of the federal immigration crackdown, too.
MFU President Gary Wertish predicts lower crop yields and ultimately higher prices at the grocery store.
"I strongly encourage farmers to find a mentor or a trusted neighbor to lean on for advice…we have more than 50 farmer mentors across the state who help farmers avoid costly mistakes and shorten the learning curve."
Read our full interview with Alex: mfu.org/conservation-advisor-spotlight
HAPPENING NOW: We are joining other agricultural leaders and policymakers to discuss the ICE surge in Minnesota and its impact on farmers and rural communities.
Watch the press conference live:
“Egg prices are trending lower since supplies recovered from bird flu outbreaks. But Brittney Johnson said record highs from last year are still on her mind as she nears the first anniversary of the egg cooperative on her northwestern Minnesota farm.”
“The farmers are the experts of their operation and know the land better than anyone, so my goal is to hear their perspective and learn about the concerns they might have…”
🔗 mfu.org/conservation-advisor-spotlight
“Farmers want their money from trade, they don’t want it from aid.”
Learn more about what MFU President Gary Wertish says about the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program:
🎄Merry Christmas🎄