Hearings in Crookston and Clearwater focused on difficult harvest season for farmers

Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) co-chaired two joint hearings of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Committees in Crookston and Clearwater. The first Senate Agriculture Committee hearings held in Greater Minnesota in over two decades, the meetings focused on the difficult harvest season for Minnesota farmers due to unusual weather and other circumstances. Committee members heard directly from farmers and those in the agriculture industry not only about the challenging harvest, but also about concerns regarding crop transportation, crop insurance payments, and low commodity prices. Farmers also praised previous investments made by the legislature in rural broadband expansion, farmer mental health services, and assistance for Minnesota farmers experiencing low commodity prices.

“These Greater Minnesota committee hearings give us a chance to talk with farmers face-to-face and hear from them what they are experiencing,” said Senator Westrom, Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee. “This harvest has been especially difficult for all farmers, and these meetings allowed us to gather information on what can be done as the legislature returns to session in February. We will continue to champion Minnesota farm families in St. Paul.”