Senate ag committees to hold joint hearings in Crookston, Clearwater

This week, the finance and policy divisions of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Committee will be holding joint committee hearings in Clearwater and Crookston. The hearings, chaired by Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) and Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake), are an opportunity for constituents to hear from, and speak directly with, legislators regarding agricultural-related policy issues.

In addition to testimony from the public, the committee is scheduled to hear from area farmers, ag businesspeople, officials from the University of Minnesota, and members of advocacy organizations. Finally, the committee will also tour a farm in the Clearwater area, Crookston’s American Crystal Sugar Company factory, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) in Crookston. 

The committee hearing schedule is as follows:

Thursday, November 14, 2019 – 10:00 a.m.
Lions Park Pavillion (1100 County Road 75, Clearwater, MN 55320)

Friday, November 15, 2019 – 8:30 a.m.
University of Minnesota, Crookston (2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716)
Bede Ballroom – Sargeant Student Center

Members of the public interested in testifying during the joint hearings should contact Alex Trunnell, legislative assistant to Senator Westrom, at (651) 296-0556 or alex.trunnell@senate.mn. The committee has asked any public testimony to be limited to agricultural issues. 

The media is also invited to attend the hearings and legislators will be available for interviews. The on-site press contact is Joel Hanson, who can be reached at joel.hanson@senate.mn or (507) 459-0447.

Senator Bill Weber represents communities in Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee.

Senator Torrey Westrom represents communities in Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee.