Issue Position: Fighting for Our Agricultural Economy and Greater Minnesota

Issue Position

I grew up in rural America for much of my childhood. My grandfather farmed beans - until the 1980s farm crisis forced him out. My 91-year-old grandmother still lives near that same land where he spent so much of his life, and she tills and plants her own garden each year.

I know how unique each community in Greater Minnesota is and how important farming is to the Greater Minnesota economy. We are the fifth largest agricultural state in the country, and Minnesota's 75,000 farms contribute $19 billion to our economy each year. Agriculture is a critical component of and opportunity for economic growth in Minnesota's second congressional district. To keep that agricultural economy growing, we must help farmers export their products to new markets such as Cuba. Agricultural exports totaled over $8 billion in 2012 and continue to grow.

As a member of Congress, I will work across party lines to pass a new farm bill that ensures a stable and strong crop insurance program as a safety net for our farmers, and at the same time provides adequate funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs that help bridge gaps for families in Minnesota. If we make sure that fresh food is covered under SNAP that is a win-win. Farmers can sell more to people here at home and SNAP recipients have healthier food.

I also understand that healthcare affordability and access to quality medical care in Greater Minnesota are serious issues for Minnesota farmers and have specific solutions to address these concerns.

We should prioritize infrastructure investments in the United States, particularly ensuring that Greater Minnesota has access to high-speed Internet to help communities meet their needs. It is not fair that our rural communities cannot build small businesses and utilize educational resources from the Internet in the same way that suburban communities can. We also must address rail issues to ensure producers have reliable access to markets.

Minnesota has taken a leading role in producing homegrown energy, providing clean, renewable energy, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil. I will fight to maintain a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and lead the effort to make Minnesota a leader in homegrown energy.

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