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Minnesota farm leader urges use of all tools to support struggling producers

The president of the Minnesota Farmers Union says farmers need every available resource to navigate the current farm crisis.

“In crop farming it’s pretty hard to show a positive cash flow,” Gary Wertish told Brownfield at the NAFB’s 2026 Washington Watch.

Wertish says Minnesota lawmakers are looking at updating the state’s Farmer-Lender Mediation Act that was passed during the 1980s.

“Before a lender can foreclose on a farmer, they have to offer mediation,” he said. “We’re working to get that extended again and I think we will with this (Minnesota) legislative session.”

He says the law has been successful over the years.

“About 90% of the cases that go to mediation come to some kind of a conclusion,” Wertish said. “Even the bankers now are supporting it.”

Wertish says the state needs to utilize every tool available to help keep farmers on the farm.

Gary Wertish: