Grower-leaders advocate for corn farmers during Day on the Hill
From left to right: House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth and Minnesota Corn grower-leaders Wes Beck, Dave Vipond, Brandon Fast, and Dana Allen-Tully.
On Tuesday, Minnesota Corn grower-leaders advocated for policies that increase opportunities for corn farmers during meetings with Governor Tim Walz and 26 state lawmakers. The meetings were part of the annual Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Day on the Hill event at the State Capitol.
During meetings, grower-leaders highlighted MCGA’s 2023 legislative priorities, including their support of efforts to expand biofuels access, strengthen rural communities, and assist farmers in implementing sustainability initiatives. They encouraged policymakers to consider bills that would:
- Allocate state funding for grants to help small fuel retailers install equipment compatible with higher biofuel blends. The bill, SF1246, was heard by the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee last month. Its companion, HF 1474, was heard in the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee last month.
- Fund the Agriculture Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer Program.
- Allocate new funding to a Minnesota Department of Agriculture program providing farmers with grants for soil health projects and equipment. The bill, SF1245, was heard by the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee earlier this month, and its companion, HF 1316, was heard on Tuesday in the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
- Increase the homestead first-tier valuation and the Ag2School tax credit and extend the beginning farmer tax credit, which is set to expire.
- Establish state estate tax portability and correct the property tax inequity that exists for acres in compliance with Minnesota’s buffer law.
Grower-leaders also highlighted the important role that crop-protection tools play in soil health practices, including cover crops and reduced tillage. They explained how Minnesota should continue to follow the science behind federal labeling requirements and guidelines that give farmers the tools they need to protect their crops.
Each year, MCGA and grassroots grower-leaders advocate at the State Capitol to ensure corn farmers are represented in important policy discussions. Thanks in part to this work, lawmakers in recent years have allocated funding for Unleaded 88 infrastructure grants, soil health projects, and more.
Learn more about MCGA’s advocacy work at mncorn.org/advocacy.
