Lunch and Learn about the U.S. Farm Bill Held in Mantorville March 13
curve slider image
Gary and Amy

Dodge County Farmers Union hosted a Lunch and Learn about the U.S. Farm Bill March 13 in Mantorville. Speakers included Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Farm Bill up for renewal this year

Every five years the U. S. Farm Bill comes up for renewal. At a listening session March 13 in Mantorville, the Dodge County Farmers Union hosted a lunch and learn event about the Farm Bill and speakers included Senator Amy Klobuchar, representatives from Senator Tina Smith’s office, Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish, Minnesota Farmers Union Membership and Outreach Organizer for Southeast Minnesota, Gail Donkers, and current President of the Dodge County Farmers Union and Dodge County Commissioner, Rod Peterson.

“If you eat, you’re going to be impacted by this bill,” remarked Keith Allen from Senator Tina Smith’s office.

More than 50 people attended the event.

Senator Klobuchar said the importance of the Farm Bill cannot be overemphasized. “We do not want to be dependent on foreign food,” she said.

As well as the Farm Bill, audience members talked about the proposed Byron Solar Farm on 1,500 acres in Canisteo Township, wind turbines planned for parts of western Dodge County, the need for assistance with mental health issues with rural Minnesotans, and the need for emergency services in rural areas.

The senators’ offices are both seeking comments on the Farm Bill. They can be reached at https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy

https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/

For more information about the Minnesota Farmers Union, visit https://mfu.org

The Congressional Research Service has published a succinct overview of the Farm Bill at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047