Corn farmers spend day at state capitol talking buffers and other ag issues

About 15 farmer-leaders from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) spent a day last week at the state capitol meeting with legislators and sharing their point of view on issues and legislation that impacts Minnesota’s 25,000 corn farmers.

Legislative visits are a great way for corn farmers to ensure that issues important to them remain a priority for lawmakers during busy legislative sessions. It’s also another example of MCGA’s grassroots activities.

“Now more than ever before, we need to make sure our voices are heard in St. Paul,” said Bruce Peterson, a farmer in Northfield and MCGA President. “It’s up to corn farmers to stand up and speak out. Nobody is going to do it for us.”

The most prominent issue at the state capitol continues to be Gov. Dayton’s proposal to require 50-foot buffers along Minnesota waterways. In addition to last week’s day at the capitol, MCGA farmer-leaders are attending town hall meetings and using media outlets to highlight why they support the use of buffers where needed, but not the governor’s one-size-fits-all proposal.

But buffers aren’t the only issue high on the radar for corn farmers. They’re also supporting a bioeconomy bill that would support an emerging industry that uses crop residue to make biofuels and other advanced bioproducts.

Corn farmers also support a bill that would provide valuable research funding to the University of Minnesota that would address emerging plant and animal diseases, as well as ag education initiatives.

Other prominent issues include property taxes, MPCA Citizen’s Board reform, irrigation and groundwater permitting and Wetlands Conservation Act changes.

To stay up to date on the latest corn and farm legislative happenings, be sure to read Anna Boroff’s weekly legislative updates.