Oct 3, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Elevating Food and Agriculture Sector Important in Upcoming Elections

Minnesota’s food and agriculture sector, led by A Greater Minnesota (AGM), aims to make Minnesota one of the top food and farming states in the nation. Employing nearly 400,000 people and contributing billions of dollars to our state’s economy, the food and agriculture industry touches every county – and Minnesotan – in the state. AGM is asking candidates and voters to support a four-point plan of important policy proposals that will help protect and grow Minnesota’s farm, ag and food sector; thereby helping expand the economic benefits of this hugely important industry throughout Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

“More than 81 percent of Minnesotans recently polled1 believe the food and agriculture economy is vitally important to our state,” said Dave Preisler, AGM chair and CEO of Minnesota Pork Producers Association. “AGM is focused on helping make Minnesota a leading state in food and agriculture, with a focus on research and innovation, clean water, outcomes-based regulation and tax policy – issues that affect Minnesotans across the state.”

Voters can look deeper into these issues and where their candidates stand at farmandfoodmn.org, so Minnesotans can make informed voting decisions on November 6.

On behalf of Minnesotans, AGM strives toward a vision of elevating Minnesota in the global food economy. The following are critical areas of opportunity for this vision of the future of food and farms in our state.

  • Make Minnesota a Leader in Farm/Food Research and Innovation
    • Research and innovation are what allow us to develop better solutions to sustain agricultural productivity, protect our natural resources and create better food.
  • Support Clean Water
    • We need to partner with farmers to ensure we have the resources to continue to improve water quality throughout the state.
  • Move Minnesota to Outcomes-Based Regulatory System
    • We want to move to a new model of regulation – one that focuses on outcomes, rather than process, while continuing to uphold environmental standards.
  • Develop Tax Policy That Stimulates Growth/Jobs
    • A more competitive tax policy would support the growth of current farms and food/ag companies while also stimulating start-up companies and farming operation of all types and sizes.

AGM asked Minnesota’s gubernatorial and legislative candidates where they stand on these important issues. All responses are shared at https://farmandfoodmn.org/your-candidates/. The website will continually be updated as more responses are received.

“Minnesota is unlikely to ever be a manufacturing center of autos or cell phones, but we are a very significant state when it comes to food production and all the related sectors that support food,” Preisler said. “Minnesota’s natural resources of good soils, favorable weather and clean water all contribute to the significance of our food sector and we believe that some modest changes to state policy will help us strengthen and grow this sector for future generations.”

The next step is up to voters. Read. Share. Spread the word. Most importantly, cast an informed vote on November 6.

For more information on the candidates and their support of these issues, how to get involved, or what AGM is all about, visit www.farmandfoodmn.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

1. A Greater Minnesota Perception Research, Spring 2018.

About A Greater Minnesota
Founded in 2014, A Greater Minnesota (AGM) is a coalition of farm, ag and food-related interests in Minnesota, aimed at increasing Minnesota’s competitive advantage in the global food economy. Members include the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, the Minnesota Pork Producers Association the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, the Chicken and Egg Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and various other Minnesota farm and food entities.