MCGA President Bruce Peterson farms in Northfield and wrote about Gov. Dayton’s buffer strip proposal this week.

Northfield farmer and Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Bruce Peterson wrote a new “Corn Views” column this week that focused on Gov. Dayton’s proposed buffer strip legislation and the importance of farmers telling their own conservation story.

Peterson wrote that MCGA strongly supports the use of buffer strips, but opposes a portion of the governor’s legislation that calls for a one-size-fits-all 50-foot buffer requirement. Peterson writes:

Agricultural research shows that a one-size-fits all buffer solution is not the most effective or efficient strategy for improving water quality.

Peterson went on to write that farmers need to step up and do a better job of telling their own conservation story. Right now, that story is being told by others, resulting in farmers falling behind in the public perception battle when the topic of farming and conservation is discussed. From Peterson’s column:

It’s up to farmers themselves to take the lead and tell their own conservation story at the grassroots level. Right now, we’re letting others tell our story for us. It’s time for farmers to regain control of the public perception battle by standing up and speaking out on their conservation efforts.

The column was sent to every media outlet in Minnesota. You can read the entire column here. Be sure to encourage fellow farmers, along with your non-farming friends and neighbors, to give it a read.