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Farmers Deserve the Right to Repair!

Legislation to do Just That is at Risk in the MN Legislature

April 18, 2023

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It’s time to restore farmers’ right to fix the equipment they own as they choose — but legislation to do just that is at risk in the Minnesota Legislature.

Right now, major farm equipment manufacturers refuse to make the software tools necessary to repair agricultural equipment fully available to farmers and independent mechanics, leaving farmers no choice but to take their broken equipment to a licensed dealership.

If passed, right to repair legislation would tackle this issue by requiring manufacturers, such as John Deere, to provide owners and independent repair businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement parts.

This will:

  • Reverse the decline of small, local repair shops, and boost local economic activity in rural Minnesota, as farmers will be able to utilize local businesses in their community for needed repairs.
  • Make repairs more affordable by bringing competition back into the repair market, which is particularly important for farmers who have tight or negative profit margins.
  • Make repairs more accessible and timely by expanding repair options for farmers.
  • Make our economy fairer by reducing consolidation and monopolization of the repair industry.
  • Reflect the principle that equipment owners deserve the right to repair their own property as they choose.

Yet, corporate ag and its allies in the Minnesota Legislature are working hard to prevent the restoration of this right. In fact, earlier this legislative session, Senator Nick Frentz (DFL-Mankato) successfully added an amendment to the Senate’s right to repair bill (SF 1598) to exempt agricultural equipment. With a 34-33 DFL majority, we need Senator Frentz or at least one member of the Senate Republican Caucus to put farmers over corporate profits in order to win the right to repair for farmers and non-farmers alike.

Will you take just a few minutes to e-mail Senator Nick Frentz, Senator Matt Klein (Senate Commerce Committee Chair), Representative Zack Stephenson (House Commerce Committee Chair), and your own Senator?

 

TAKE ACTION NOW!

 

If you believe that farmers deserve to be able to fix their own equipment or bring broken equipment to an independent repair shop, just take a few minutes to send an e-mail to key legislators now!

Thank you to the Minnesota Farmers Union and the National Farmers Union for this action alert’s talking points! Learn more about the right to repair for agricultural equipment issue:

  • Minnesota Farmers Union Letter
  • National Farmers Union One-Pager
  • Bill Summary from Non-Partisan Minnesota House Staff (House version does not exempt ag equipment.)

Category: Action Alerts
Tags: farm equipment • Minnesota Legislature • right to repair • rural economy

Contact

Amanda Koehler, LSP Policy Manager
e-mail, 612-400-6355

Upcoming Events

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December 2023

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8

U of M Soil Management Summit
Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8
U of M Soil Management Summit
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA

The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.

The summit features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.

Those who attend the entire conference can earn Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units (CEUs).

For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday December 12

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms
Tuesday December 12
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms

Join Jody and Mike Lenz of Threshing Table Farm and Dana Swanson from NRCS to explore creative ways to manage water in our changing climate. This forum will include a short presentation followed by questions, ideas and solutions from attendees.
Register here:https://secure.everyaction.com/8R2DmcpyQkOkPANzarGpAA2

Saturday December 16

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Farmers of Color Conference
Saturday December 16
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Farmers of Color Conference
2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA

Calling all Midwestern Black farmers! Join us at the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference — an empowering gathering where connections flourish and knowledge blooms. Over the past two years, we’ve had the honor of building relationships with minority farmers from the South. Now, we’re extending a heartfelt invitation to YOU to be part of this transformative event. Connect with fellow farmers, engage with expert speakers spanning ag policy, research, and crop insurance, and get the answers you seek to thrive in your farming journey. Whether you’re seasoned or just starting out, this conference is a space designed to empower, educate, and uplift.

For details, check out this flier.

To register, click here.

January 2024

Saturday January 13

10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Saturday January 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Fillmore Central Elementary School K-6, 702 Chatfield Ave NW, Preston, MN 55965, USA

Free nitrate and chloride screenings will be offered onsite, with results available within 15 minutes. While you wait, you are invited to talk one-on-one with water experts about your results, questions, and options. This consultation is free and confidential. If further testing is advised, a voucher for a free certified test will be provided. Questions can be directed to Responsible Ag in Karst Country at responsibleaginkarstcountry@gmail.com.

Tuesday January 16

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
Tuesday January 16
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
St. Cloud, St Cloud, MN, USA

Join LSP and UMN Extension to build resiliency on your farm through examining local climate trends, identifying risk and planning adaptations for mitigation. Additionally, there will be several farmers presenting on the climate resiliency strategies they are implementing on their farms. Lunch is included and registration is required.

Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/nyGLdKfUikG6EZmR8mcwbw2

View Full Calendar

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