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Minnesota Farm Bureau talks legislative priorities during day on the hill

Minnesota Farm Bureau members gathered at the state capitol in St. Paul to discuss legislative priorities with lawmakers this week.

President Dan Glessing says there was a lot of engagement.

“We had 175 members on the Hill Tuesday, and we started out the day with some briefings of what bills we’re following. But then we went to the capitol steps, we had a tractor up there and did a rally, heard from those elected folks who are leaders within agriculture.”

He tells Brownfield Farm Bureau emphasized the need for proper funding for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Board of Animal Health.

“Whether it’s highly pathogenic avian influenza or another animal disease, we want to be ready. With everything that went on last year, they were coming up a little bit tight on their budget and talked about having to cut some things and not wanting to cut staff, testing was one of those things on the list. Well that’s kind of the last things you want to do when you’re in the midst of a disease outbreak.”

He says members also discussed tax policy with legislators, including the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit.

Brownfield interviewed Glessing Tuesday night during the Minnesota Farm Bureau Ag Gala at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.