Minnesota’s farmers are critical to the state’s economy, providing commodities for our communities and partners and jobs for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Decisions affecting Minnesota farmers affect the lives of many, if not all Minnesotans.
But the crisis in rural America is about money and power. A generation ago, farmers were keeping 37 cents out of every food dollar. Today, it’s 15 cents. Farmers earn less, and the big companies are more and more powerful. And with costs going up even while prices fall, we’ve got to hear and value our farmers. It’s that simple.
That’s why Tina fought for a spot on the Agriculture Committee when she first joined the Senate and convened a Farm Bill working group, which included dozens of people from across the state to help inform her priorities for the legislation.
Tina worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill in the Senate – later signed into law – that supports farmers and ranchers across the state. Tina authored and championed several provisions in the Farm Bill, including a road map for renewable energy programs, support for beginning and nontraditional farmers, the preservation of the sugar program, investments in trade promotion programs, and anti-hunger programs.
And Tina continues to be a champion for rural America, visiting and listening to communities around the state and bringing those stories back to D.C. to share with her colleagues and make sure they know that entrepreneurialism, creativity, and a commitment to community is alive and well.