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MN Senator Tina Smith appointed to Senate Ag Committee

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(Senator Tina Smith discusses conservation practices with Harold Wolle on his Madelia farm)

Shortly after officially taking her seat on the United States Senate, Tina Smith was appointed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry earlier this week. The appointment means Senator Smith will play a key role in 2018 farm bill negotiations in addition to other legislation affecting the state’s 24,000-plus corn farmers.

Smith, who formerly was the lieutenant governor for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, had pushed for a seat on the ag committee and now will serve a key role in protecting the farm safety net and preserving crop insurance for farmers in Minnesota and beyond.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and its grower leaders have enjoyed working with Smith while she was lieutenant governor. Former MCGA President Harold Wolle joined Smith and other ag leaders in a trade mission to Cuba last summer, supporting her efforts to build the country as a trade market. Smith also visited Wolle’s farm last fall for an up-close look at the many conservation practices employed on his Madelia farm.

Moving forward, MCGA looks forward to continue working with Smith and supporting her efforts to strengthen the state’s ag sector.

“We are at a very crucial time for agriculture, as Congress puts together a 2018 farm bill that will shape the future of agriculture in our country. We are confident Senator Smith will continue to support Minnesota’s growers and protect one of the largest economic drivers in our state,” said Wolle, who is chairman of the MCGA board of directors.

In addition to the ag committee, Smith was also named to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Energy and Natural Resources. On the energy committee, Smith will have a key voice in upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard.

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