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.

🌱Happy National Ag Day!🌱

Mary Metelak, co-owner and business manager of Benson + Turner Meats in Waubun, testified in support of Sen. Mary Kunesh’s bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee to increase funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program.

Melany Thomas, a certified organic producer in Clay County, testified in support of Sen. Rob Kupec’s bill directing the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to study land ownership trends in the state.

Hannah Bernhardt, a regenerative livestock producer in Pine County, testified alongside her son, Harvey, in support of Representative Nathan Nelson’s bill to establish a rotational grazing pilot program.

Sam Birkholz, owner of Pleasant Valley Orchard in Shafer, testified in support of Sen. Heather Gustafson's bill to increase funding for the Minnesota Grown program and expand access to marketing tools and resources for local producers.

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

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.”

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

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.