"With a goal of giving people an opportunity to say what’s on their minds, the Minnesota Farmers Union hosted 12 town hall meetings across the state in the last few months. The final was held in Willmar on Thursday, April 16." Learn more: www.wctrib.com/news/local/m...

Many concerns, calls for change at MFU town hall meeting

Minnesota Farmers Union hosts town hall to hear what’s on people’s minds. Plenty, it turns out, as many voice concerns and call for change at final session in Willmar.

wctrib.com

Sen. Aric Putnam’s ag policy bill passed the Senate with a definition for Agrivoltaics and a requirement that companies label lab grown meat. Our members take great pride in their work to raise livestock and we believe that clear, informative labeling will help consumers make informed decisions.

Attention next-gen and beginning farmers! FarmPath is a national, 3-year program designed to support aspiring and beginning farmers as they explore, plan, and build viable and sustainable farm businesses. Deadline: March 31 @ 5pm CST 🔗: www.cognitoforms.com/FarmFoundation/FarmPathApplication2026

🌱Happy National Ag Day!🌱

Yesterday (3/23) was a very busy day at the Capitol! A #mnleg thread 🧵

“Minneapolis-based health system says bigger will be better for patients, but economists worry about the consumer cost.”

Will the Allina-Sutter Health deal drive up the cost of health care in Minnesota?

Minneapolis-based health system says bigger will be better for patients, but economists worry about the consumer cost.

startribune.com

“We absolutely have to adapt to what the climate is giving to us. Honestly, I think a lot of conservation practices are also good agronomic best management practices.” Read our full interview with Dorian: mfufoundation.org/dorian-gatch...

MFU Vice President Anne Schwagerl testified before the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee in support of Representative Luke Frederick’s bill to fund an Agricultural Land Trends Report to better understand changes in farmland ownership across the state.

“Before Mayo Clinic posted a record $1.47 billion profit, the world-renowned medical system closed clinics and cut services in several cities across southern Minnesota.”

Mayo Clinic’s record profit leaves mixed feelings in the wake of med giant’s closures in small towns

Some cities affected by a wave of service cuts last fall are still looking to replace Mayo’s presence.

startribune.com

MFU staff and delegates are assembled in New Orleans for the 124th Annual National Farmers Union Convention! We’re excited to connect with Farmers Union delegates from across the nation and debate/vote on NFU’s policy for the year. Cc: @nfudc.bsky.social

70+ MFU members spread out across the Capitol campus for Lobby Day 2026 to advocate for our legislative priorities this session, including: ☑️ Responding to the crisis in farm country ☑️ Lowering healthcare costs ☑️ Investing in the next generation of farmers + so much more

"I have learned that farming systems are really complicated, every farm is unique… Because of that I’ve tried to build programs for farmers to learn and try things together for as many farms as possible." 🔗: mfufoundation.org/natalie-hoidal-local-foods-and-vegetable-crops-educator-at-umn-extension

MFU Executive Committee member Josh VanderPol, co-owner of Pastures A Plenty in Kirkhoven, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of S.F. 3686, a state pilot program to incentivize rotational grazing through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

MFU member and outreach organizer Brenda Rudolph testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of Senator Torrey Westrom’s bill to expand the beverage options schools can offer students by allowing milk with higher fat content to be served with school meals.

MFU members Darrell Larsen and Owen Busse testified before the Senate Tax Committee this morning, and called on legislators to address the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit shortfall: “We were part of the more than 50 percent of applicants who were denied due to lack of funding.”

Our executive committee was in Staples yesterday to check in on progress at Farmers Union Processing & Meats, which will be a state-of-the-art meat processing facility for primarily beef and pork, and will partner w/ Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College to provide training for students.

Farmers and rural residents made their voices heard at our first two People’s Town Hall meetings of 2026 today in Austin and Owatonna. Folks are concerned about a number of issues, including harmful trade policies, the ICE surge in MN, and lack of access to affordable healthcare.

Join us TOMORROW (2/10) in Austin and Owatonna to make your voice heard! Learn more and register: bit.ly/PeoplesTownHall

Membership Director Gail Donkers represented MFU during Senator Amy Klobuchar’s visit to Rodney Moe's farm in Waltham. Topics discussed included the need for a new farm bill, the impact of tariffs, and E15.

"Current economic conditions and Trump administration policies could lead to 'a widespread collapse of American agriculture,' a bipartisan coalition of former Agriculture Department officials and leaders of farm groups warned in a letter on Tuesday.”

Former Farming Leaders Warn U.S. Agriculture Could Face ‘Widespread Collapse’

nytimes.com

Agricultural communities are feeling the effects of the federal immigration crackdown, too. MFU President Gary Wertish predicts lower crop yields and ultimately higher prices at the grocery store.

Minnesota farm communities say ICE surge "is going to be very damaging" for business this year

While Operation Metro Surge continues in the Twin Cities, Minnesota's farm country is also feeling the impact. The major concerns for farmers and the trickle-down effect it could have on consumers.

cbsnews.com

"I strongly encourage farmers to find a mentor or a trusted neighbor to lean on for advice…we have more than 50 farmer mentors across the state who help farmers avoid costly mistakes and shorten the learning curve." Read our full interview with Alex: mfu.org/conservation-advisor-spotlight

HAPPENING NOW: We are joining other agricultural leaders and policymakers to discuss the ICE surge in Minnesota and its impact on farmers and rural communities. Watch the press conference live:

Press Conference: Impact of ICE Activity on Agriculture and Rural Communities - 01/14/26

YouTube video by Minnesota Senate Media Services

youtube.com

“Egg prices are trending lower since supplies recovered from bird flu outbreaks. But Brittney Johnson said record highs from last year are still on her mind as she nears the first anniversary of the egg cooperative on her northwestern Minnesota farm.”

Cheaper by the dozen: MN egg co-op gives neighbors better options

Grocery shoppers can't help but feel frustration when a staple like eggs sees rapid price swings. One Minnesota farmer is helping her neighbors by offering a quality product that's not

app.publicnewsservice.org

“The farmers are the experts of their operation and know the land better than anyone, so my goal is to hear their perspective and learn about the concerns they might have…” 🔗 mfu.org/conservation-advisor-spotlight

“Farmers want their money from trade, they don’t want it from aid.” Learn more about what MFU President Gary Wertish says about the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program:

Rising mediation cases signal deepening financial stress for Minnesota farmers - KVRR Local News

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/KVRR) — The president of Minnesota Farmers Union says while the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is welcome, ag producers don’t want to rely on ad hoc payments from the governmen...

kvrr.com

🎄Merry Christmas🎄

MFU Antimonopoly Director Justin Stofferahn: “An underappreciated but core reason for rising costs are a range of anti-competitive tactics, some new, some old.”

Antimonopoly advocates say weak enforcement is fueling higher grocery prices

Farm, consumer and grocery groups argue consolidation and price discrimination are squeezing shoppers, farmers and small stores.

agweek.com

Leaders from the Minnesota Department of Commerce joined Jim and Karen Falk on their farm to discuss energy costs and the impact of federal cuts to incentives for on-farm renewable energy. Learn more: www.agweek.com/news/policy/...

"…the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will sharply raise health insurance costs in 2026, forcing painful tradeoffs that could slow farm growth, strain rural hospitals and push some producers out of business altogether.” www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/...

Farmers Say ACA Price Spike Will Force Some Painful Choices

Monday was the deadline to enroll in Affordable Care Act health-insurance plans for 2026 coverage. The deadline comes as people signing up for plans are seeing premium spikes and enrollment is expecte...

dtnpf.com