On Monday, Jan. 22, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria)–Republican lead of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee–joined House and Senate Agriculture Committee members to tour dairy businesses in Senate District 12.

First, Sen. Westrom joined members of the Committee to tour a Land O’Lakes cheese plant in Melrose. This plant carries out every process of the beginning stages of making cheese. Once the correct moisture is pressurized out of the cheese, their vendors take the product to age and package. The cheese is then sold whole, sliced, ground, or powdered.

After visiting the cheese plant, Sen. Westrom and the Committee stopped at a Land O’Lakes board member’s dairy farm, which employs high schoolers from the area. The Committee had the opportunity to hear about how they can best assist small farms to ensure their continued success. “It was great to hear about the importance of community support in operating their dairy farm,” Sen. Westrom shared. “This unique approach allows students to connect with their community and learn the beauty of farming.”

Additionally, Sen. Westrom joined the Committee to tour the family-owned Blue Diamond Dairy Farm, which is located near Melrose and owned by Glen and Sadie Frericks. “It’s always interesting to see how the food chain starts at the farm and moves through the processing plants to bring us healthy and tasty products to enjoy—like cheese and dairy,” Sen. Westrom said. “Thanks to Glen and Sadie Frericks for letting us tour their 100-cow family dairy farm. The work of our family farmers is the fabric of rural Minnesota!”