Agriculture (MN Governor's Race)

The Minnesota governor’s primary is on August 14th, which means we’ve got a lot of learning to do in order to get ready! If you’re new around here, I plan to cover as many issues as I can between now and then. My purpose is to move past the rhetoric and propaganda that comes with elections and educate the populace with how their vote affects the actual policies and laws that govern their lives. I’m starting with agriculture.

This image comes from
https://minnesota.agclassroom.org/educator/materials_poster_ag.cfm
and shows agricultural rankings from 2011.  The text I've written
references current rankings.

Agriculture

According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, agriculture generates $121 billion in economic activity and supports 431,000 Minnesota jobs making it an economic cornerstone. There are 73,300 farms in Minnesota.

Overall, Minnesota ranks in the top 10 nationally in the production of more than 20 agricultural products and is the 4th largest exporter of agricultural products. Minnesota is a leading state in annual farm income ranking 5th among the states and contributing about 4% of the nation’s total agricultural receipts. Crops is a $10 billion dollar sector. Minnesota is the leading producer of corn and soybeans. Livestock is an $8.8 billion dollar sector. Livestock and products from livestock (i.e. cotton cloth), account for about half the state’s farm income, the most valuable of which is hogs which account for 18% of the state’s total agricultural revenues making Minnesota the #3 hog-producing state. Minnesota is the leading milk producing state making cattle and calves very important sources of revenue. Minnesota is also a leading producer of eggs and turkeys.

What are the concerns of Minnesota farmers? Minnesota farmers themselves believe that Minnesotans are becoming more and more disconnected with farming. A survey by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association noted that nearly 65% of respondents had no connection with farming. Corn farmers want the next governor to make future policy decisions based on science and research while recognizing the impact corn growers have on the state. Both soybean and hog farmers are concerned about the president’s tariffs and retaliatory tariffs from China.

Here is where the candidates stand:

Jeff Johnson-R: Candidate Johnson says, “Minnesota’s economy was built on agriculture and our natural resources.” But, he says that government is getting in the way of those who work the land. He claims that government permitting harrasses farmers. This is not an issue he currently has an action plan for but he is endorsed by Pawlenty’s former Lt. Governor, Carol Molnau, a family farmer for south-central Minnesota, who is said to be working with Johnson on the campaign trail around agricultural issues.

Erin Murphy-D: Candidate Murphy wants to continue to put the spotlight back on farming and says, “I think we should use all the opportunities we have to bridge those divisions.” She will invest more in the development of perennial crops which she says will help farmers grow crops that have a market while also protecting and restoring the health of our land. Her running mate, state representative Erin Maye Quade, wasn’t able to answer a question about E85 from the Forum News Service, but later stated on Twitter, “I misspoke. I know how important E-85 is to the state’s economy and livelihood of Minnesotans.”

Tim Pawlenty-R: Candidate Pawlenty recently told MPR’s Cathy Wurzer that “It is not in America’s best interest to get in a trade war, particularly over products and services that relate to agriculture.” He says that he hopes the president can resolve disputes with other countries without the need for tariffs (with the exception of steel tariffs). I could not find any other plans he has for agriculture policy although in 2011, while announcing his presidential bid, he came out against ethanol subsidies which challenged the corn industry.

Lori Swanson-D: Candidate Swanson comes from a family of farmers, but I couldn’t find much on her actual agriculture policy aside from the mention that her pick for Lieutenant Governor, Congressman Rick Nolan, has focused on agriculture, among other issues, on the state a federal congressional level. It seems as though his focus will be rural Minnesota and has said that, “Farm economy is at the foundation of small-town economic success.”

Tim Walz-D: Candidate Walz says, “Minnesota is a state that was built on the strength of its agricultural sector and we need to ensure that our family farmers and rural communities are able to compete in the global marketplace.” His plan includes working to aggressively expand markets, supporting new and beginning farmers, investing in agriculture-related research, and supporting the growth of organic and locally grown products.