This is a call to action relayed from the Rural Caucus.

Thirty percent of Minnesota's GDP is generated from agriculture. But the initial agricultural budget of $100 million that Governor Walz proposed to the legislature was reduced to $48 million when budget targets were announced last week. This is far less than what agriculture, food systems and beginning and emerging farmer groups were calling for, given the need for funding and the $17.5 billion surplus. This lower budget reduces support for family farmers, wild rice programs, critical research, and farmers
markets.

We ask all DFL Rural Caucus members to contact Governor Tim Walz, House Speaker Hortman and Senate Leader Dziedzic, and the House and Senate leadership and tell them to put the governor's Ag target of $100 million back in place!

These funds are needed to support the priorities in the DFL platform for family farmers, beginning and emerging farmers, meat processing, conservation and soil health, farm to school and farmers market programs – essential to a strong agricultural and local foods economy that keeps our family farmers and rural communities viable.

Governor Tim Walz 651-201-3400
Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic 651-296-7809  S
Sen. Liz Bolden, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-3903
Sen. Nick Frentz, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-6153
Sen. Foung Hawj, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-5285
Sen. Mary Kunesh, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-4334
Sen. Kelly Morrison, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-6612
Sen. Erin Murphy, Ass’t Sen. Majority Leader 651-296-5931
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman 651-296-4280
House Majority Leader Jamie Long 651-296-5375
Rep. Dan Wolgemont, Speaker Pro Tempore 651-296-6612
Rep. Athena Hollins, House Majority Whip 651-296-4224
Rep. Esther Albage, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-8659
Rep. Kaela Berg, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-5387
Rep. Luke Frederick, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-3248
Rep. Sydney Jordan, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-4219
Rep. Liz Lee, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-4277
Rep. Brad Tabke, Ass’t House Majority Leader 651-296-8872
Sen. Aric Putnam, Senate Agriculture Policy and Finance Chairperson 651-296-6455
Sen. Rob Kupec, Senate Agriculture Policy and Finance Vice Chairperson 651-296-3205
Rep. Samantha Vang, House Agriculture Policy and Finance Chairperson 651-296-6455
Rep. Kristi Pursell, House Agriculture Policy and Finance Vice Chairperson 651-296-0171