On Monday, Feb. 12, the Minnesota Pork Board (MPB) held its annual Award Recognition reception at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, Minnesota. At the event, MPB honored individuals and families who have made significant contributions to the state’s pork industry, and they recognized Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) as MPB’s 2024 Legislator of Distinction.

“Having grown up on my family’s farm, I understand the constant challenges that occur within agriculture,” Sen. Weber said. “We need to be working directly with our Minnesota farmers to find measures that are workable for every member, so we can achieve the maximum benefit. What we don’t need is one-size-fits-all solutions that ignore the needs of certain agricultural industries. Our family farms are integral to Minnesota’s economy, and I will continue to advocate for policies that support our Minnesota pork farming families and all our family farms.”

Sen. Weber received this award for his strong advocacy on behalf of the Minnesota agriculture industry and family farms, including Minnesota pig farmers. Specifically, MPB highlighted Sen. Weber’s most recent victory for agriculture as expanding the agriculture homestead valuation limit. This bill increases the current valuation limit for an agricultural homestead from $2.7 million to $3.5 million. Though it varies across the state, the projected average increase for a homestead is about 80 acres and farmers will pay the much lower .5%.

For more information, please visit: www.mnpork.com/legislator-of-distinction-award-winner   

The Minnesota Pork Board offers unique value to producers and consumers through research, education, and promotion of pork. The Board works to elevate the confidence of Minnesota consumers in pork and the families who raise it. It is funded by the 3,000 pork farming families in Minnesota through the Pork Checkoff and receives USDA Oversight.