WASHINGTON — Gary Wertish, President of Minnesota Farmers Union, participated in a Rural Summit with agriculture leaders from across the country and several U.S. Congress members in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13.
President Wertish was invited by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., to attend the meeting with more than 200 state and national leaders representing the agriculture sector in Washington, D.C. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap also attended.
“I was glad to represent Minnesota’s farmers and rural residents on the national stage this week,” President Wertish said. “It’s critical for legislators to hear what rural America needs at this time when the farm economy is in crisis and they are soon to write the next Farm Bill.”
At the meeting, leaders discussed ensuring that the 2018 reauthorization of the Farm Bill contains a strong safety net to help farmers and ranchers weather disasters and periods of low prices. Klobuchar also spoke about the need to support beginning farmers and expand access to broadband in rural Minnesota.
“The knowledge and expertise of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and Minnesota Farmers Union is critical to keeping our state’s family farmers and agriculture industry competitive,” Klobuchar said.
— Minnesota Farmers Union
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