Northfield, MN – Today, the House Agriculture Committee held the fourth in a series of listening sessions entitled “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Perspectives from the Field” at Far-Gaze Farms in Northfield, Minnesota.
Two Members of Congress participated with approximately 130 members of the public participating in person and over 1,000 streaming online. Audience members discussed topics including crop insurance, dairy policy, new and underrepresented farmers, and mental health.
In Minnesota, 67,400 farms cover more than half of the state across 25,400,000 acres of land. Corn and soybeans are the top two commodities and Minnesota leads the nation in production of red kidney beans, sugar beets, and turkeys raised. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation in value of crops and 5th in the nation in total agricultural production.
Members of the House Agriculture Committee issued the following statements following today’s event.
“Thank you to House Agriculture Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos of Illinois for again chairing one of our farm bill listening sessions. I would also like to thank Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota for hosting this event in her home state,” said Chairman David Scott. “These sessions are important opportunities for people across this country and I am grateful to these Members for making it happen and to the members of the public who participated.”
“Family farmers are the driving force behind so much of what makes our country strong and unique. Each new farm bill gives us an opportunity to address the emerging issues facing our producers and ensure that our government is giving them the resources they need to build prosperous lives in rural America,” said Representative Craig. “When we put together each farm bill, it’s absolutely critical that the voices of our local farmers are heard – and that their input is valued. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to welcome my fellow House Agriculture Committee members to Minnesota – and to discuss what more we can do to create a Farm Bill that works for every farmer across our country.”
“Laying the groundwork for the next farm bill means listening to the voices of family farmers from across the country,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “It was such a pleasure to be in Minnesota with Congresswoman Angie Craig to hear from local farmers and ag stakeholders about how Congress can best serve them in the years ahead. Our farm bill listening tour is a vital part of ensuring that the programs our farmers rely on are working effectively and efficiently nationwide.”