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MFU delegates sound alarm on farm economy, demand new farm bill

Minnesota Farmers Union developed resolutions around what members describe as a farm crisis during their annual convention in late November.

MFU president Gary Wertish says long-term reforms are necessary to stabilize the ag economy.

“We’re still dealing with a 2018 Farm Bill that we keep kicking down the road, so we need to make some changes that would help all farmers. And obviously a (new) farm bill is one of them.”

He tells Brownfield trade policies have weakened commodity prices while driving up input costs.

“Farmers are getting hit on both ends. Obviously we need trade, but the use of (blanket) tariffs throughout the whole world basically, we have concerns that they’re not targeted.”

Wertish says unaffordable healthcare remains another priority issue for MFU member farmers and small business owners.