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Bernhardt: ‘I hope the federal government will honor their commitments to farmers.’

MN Senate Hearing Highlights How Government Programs Benefit Individual Farmers & Communities

By Heather Benson
February 18, 2025

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“I know it’s really valuable to know what I can count on. When I signed a contract with the government, I should be able to plan ahead for my season and count on that.”

— LSP Program Committee chair & farmer, Hannah Bernhardt

♦ ♦ ♦

On Feb. 17, the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee heard from farmers and others about the impacts of the federal funding freeze and how this relates to state agriculture programs. LSP Program Committee chair Hannah Bernhardt, whose Medicine Creek Farm is in Minnesota’s Pine County, shared how her Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program grant is on pause at a critical time for her farm, preventing her from participating in a local program that allows her pasture-raised beef to be purchased for local food banks:

“The most immediate program that I use that’s been affected by the funding freezes is the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. It’s an incredible program that allowed me to sell my meat at my asking price to Twin Cities Food Justice, who in turn donated it to a meal program and a food bank in my own community that I got to help pick. It felt amazing to be able to feed those in need in my community. And I received so much gratitude and appreciation, including a thank you note from the food bank that said they had not had fresh meat to offer for almost a year.

“It also helped my operation because the purchases were made at the time of year when my cash flow is otherwise low and I didn’t have to do the extra work of marketing and customer service and delivery that normally takes up a large amount of my time. I was all set to sell three more beef to the program this March when I was informed that the funding freeze meant they would be unable to buy from me. I already have that processing date lined up and as we talked about, there is a bottleneck in processing. So there’s no way I’m going to give up that date. And now I’m worried about scrambling to find new customers to buy that beef.

In addition to the loss of that market, Hannah is faced with uncertainty surrounding federal conservation programs that reimburse her for improvements to her farm. She said:

“Finally, I also have a Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Stewardship Program contract that’s currently on hold. Farming, as you’re probably aware, is a bit time sensitive. And I should be buying seed right now to frost seed my pastures in March when the ground has thawed. But I now have no guarantee that that investment will be reimbursed at the end of the year.

“In the past, we’ve also used funding from the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program in our Soil and Water Conservation District to cost share projects that help improve my operation. You know, state Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen also mentioned during his testimony that Minnesota is set to receive funding to support the work of Soil and Water Conservation Districts related to soil health projects and technical assistance.

“I really want to emphasize that soil health and conservation provide major public benefits beyond supporting individual farms to stay viable. These programs keep everyone’s water and air cleaner while helping farmers to raise healthy food on healthy soils and increase our public health. Unfortunately, my bottom line doesn’t always allow me to justify making these conservation improvements on my own.

“And finally, with the staff cuts at the Farm Service Agency and NRCS that I’m hearing about, I’m also worried about having a harder time navigating resources and getting that technical assistance on conservation from what were already chronically underfunded agencies.”

In addition to Hannah, Tom Smude, a farmer and owner of Midwest Processors, also testified before the Senate Ag Committee on Monday. He said their Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program grant for milling and screening equipment for their sunflower processor business is also on pause due to the funding freeze. That not only causes financial uncertainty and stress for his family but for customers like Brady Barnstable, who also testified. Brady owns Seven Sundays Cereal, which uses up-cycled sunflower protein from Midwest Processors for their cereal.

Tom said he invited Brady to the hearing to show that infrastructure grants like the one he qualified for have widespread benefits.

“It’s not just me,” Tom said. “It’s the end user to the customer for the food products.”

Heather Benson is LSP’s communications specialist. LSP’s government relations director, Laura Schreiber, was in Washington, D. C., last week, where she met with several members of Congress and shared stories of farmer-members who are being impacted by the funding uncertainty. For details on sharing your story and how to get a message to lawmakers about the importance of these programs, see LSP’s action alert.

Watch the full Feb. 17 Senate Agriculture Committee testimony below.

Category: Blog
Tags: agricultural conservation • CSP • federal ag policy • funding freeze • local foods • NRCS EQIP • regenerative farming • USDA

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July 2025

Friday July 11

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Friday July 11
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Todd Park, 2411 11th St NE, (Site #1), Austin MN 55912

You’re invited to our Big Community Carne Asada Cookout! Join COPAL and the Land Stewardship Project for an afternoon of delicious grilled food, music, and great company. Let’s come together to share stories, build stronger connections, and keep growing a united and supportive community. 👉 Limited spots available — register at the link!

 

🔥 ¡Está invitado a nuestra Gran Carne Asada Comunitaria! Acompáñe a COPAL y a Land Stewardship Project para disfrutar de una tarde con comida deliciosa a la parrilla, música y buena compañía. Unámonos para compartir historias, fortalecer lazos y seguir construyendo una comunidad unida y solidaria. 👉 Cupo limitado, regístrese en el enlace.

📆 JUL 11

⏰ 5PM

📍Todd Park, 2411 11th St NE, (Site #1), Austin MN 55912

🔗 Register / Regístrese: https://loom.ly/hZ0bS1U

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
Wednesday July 16
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
27092 Co Rd 8, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA

Details here.

Thursday July 17

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
Thursday July 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
518 30th Ave, Jasper, MN 56182

Details are here.

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Recent Posts

  • ‘Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters’ Event July 12 Near Lewiston July 8, 2025
  • Contributing to the Cause July 8, 2025
  • Contact the MPCA by July 22 About Revising its Feedlot Rules July 2, 2025
  • Tell Your Representatives: We Want a Farm Bill for All, Not a Tax Break for the Wealthiest July 2, 2025
  • U.S. Supreme Court’s Decline of Iowa Case Bolsters Local Control July 2, 2025

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