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LSP Applauds Sen. Klobuchar’s Support of Whole Farm Revenue Protection Improvement Act

Legislation Would Expand Insurance Access to Farmers Historically Left Out of Federal Program

February 14, 2024

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. —  Members of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) today applauded the recent announcement that U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D – MN) has signed on as a co-author of the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Improvement Act. If incorporated into the next Farm Bill, this legislation would expand insurance access to farmers historically left out of the federal crop insurance program.

“I am thrilled that Senator Klobuchar has signed onto this bill,” said Andy Petran, who raises berries near Isanti, Minn. Petran’s Twin Cities Berry Company has not been able to qualify for crop insurance as a result of the way the current program is set up.

A recent survey conducted by LSP, the Midwest Farmers of Color Collective and the National Young Farmers Coalition found that only 21% of the 700+ farming respondents had ever had a crop insurance plan. The current federally subsidized crop insurance program is mostly designed for farmers raising commodity crops like corn or soybeans who have years of established yield history, said Amanda Koehler, LSP’s policy manager and federal policy organizer. The WFRP Improvement Act includes provisions to address common barriers faced by small, medium-sized and diversified farmers, and to otherwise strengthen the program by streamlining paperwork, expanding the Micro Farm pilot, raising the limit to annual revenue expansion, strengthening the diversification discount and compensating crop insurance agents who sell WFRP appropriately.

“Improving Whole Farm Crop Insurance is a net gain for all Americans,” said Petran. “It improves the viability of smaller operations in a way that is affordable to the next generation of growers without negatively impacting the viability of larger, more established farms. Ultimately, it helps ensure consumers have more reliable access to a vibrant array of fresh, local produce at markets, co-ops and stores nationwide. By choosing to support this legislation, Senator Klobuchar has shown that she represents the interests of her constituents and farmers.”

With climate change exposing farmers to extreme, unprecedented weather events, having a solid, accessible safety net is more important than ever, said Koehler. That’s why LSP and its allies have been working the past several months to push for inclusion of the WFRP legislation in the next Farm Bill;  farmer-members have participated in fly-ins to Washington, D. C., and more than 125 Minnesota farmers signed a letter asking for Sen. Klobuchar’s support.  The Farm Bill, which is re-drafted approximately every five years, has been temporarily extended until September.

“With the uncertainty of a new Farm Bill happening in 2024 and Senator Klobuchar being next in line to either Chair or be the Minority Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, securing her as a co-author for the WFRP Improvement Act is crucial,” said Koehler. “We know now that WFRP will likely remain a priority for the Senate Ag Committee, even after Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow retires.”

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The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop healthy communities. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and South Minneapolis. 

 

Category: News Releases
Tags: crop insurance • Farm Bill • Farm Bill Survey • federal policy • National Young Farmer Survey • Senator Amy Klobuchar • young farmers

CONTACT:

Amanda Koehler, LSP policy manager, e-mail, 612-400-6355

 

Upcoming Events

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October 2025

Saturday October 18

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Saturday October 18
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Nestingen Road, Nestingen Rd, Coon, WI 54667, USA

Valley Stewardship Network will host a pasture walk demonstrating various strategies for extending the grazing season. The event will be held on the Zinn Family Farm in rural Westby.

As input costs rise, livestock producers may want to consider extending the grazing season. Stockpile grazing and bale grazing are two proven methods to achieve this goal. 

The Zinn Family has been utilizing these practices for years on their rural Westby farm. Join us to see stockpiling, bale grazing, and winter water systems in a real-world setting.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact Evan Dvorsak at 608-632-6166 (call/text) or evan@valleystewardshipnetwork.org. Snacks will be provided. Details are also available in this flier.

Funding for this event is provided by the USDA’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI).

Thursday October 23

8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Thursday October 23
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Online

School is back in session and this week’s cool temps definitely remind us all that fall is just around the corner. This time of the year also means that the application period is open for Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care grants.

Earlier this year, the Land Stewardship Project and our partners were successful in expanding funding for the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care program. The application window for the next round of funding is now open and will close at 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23.

APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is serving up two funding opportunities to help schools and early childhood education (ECE) centers buy Minnesota-grown and -raised foods. 

1.    First Bite Grants: Up to $5,000 (no match required) to kickstart local food purchasing through intentional, high-impact activities. 
2.    Full Tray Grants: Up to $35,000 (1:1 match required) to help experienced schools and ECE centers increase or expand their local food purchases. 

Equipment funding: First Bite and Full Tray applicants can also request up to $25,000 (1:1 match required) to support the purchase of kitchen equipment that will enhance their capacity to buy, prepare, and serve local foods.  

 These grants are open to: 
•    Public or private K-12 schools or school districts in Minnesota that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
•    Early childhood education (ECE) centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota

MDA encourages schools, districts, and ECE centers serving sovereign tribal nations to apply. 

 Local Tots Cost-Share Program
There are also funds available to reimburse family child care providers for buying Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used for meals and snacks as part of the the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

Interested providers must submit a Local Tots Cost-Share program Letter of Intent to participate. Award amounts will be up to $1,000 and there is a 1:1 cash match required for providers who received a Local Tots Cost-Share award in 2025. There is no cash match required if you are new to the program. 

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

 Program details and online applications are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-care-programs or by contacting the Grants Team at MDA.AGRIgrants@state.mn.us. 

 Want to learn more about eligibility, allowable expenses, and how to apply?

 Join the MDA for a virtual info session: 
First Bite and Full Tray Grant Info Session 
September 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Register here

 Local Tots Cost-Share Info Session – for family child care providers
September 18, 2025, 1-2 p.m.
Register here

Farmers: Are you Interested in selling to a school near you? 
Send this opportunity along to the food service director at schools near you or connect with a Regional Local Food Coordinator to help you make connections with schools, childcare settings, and other opportunities to sell locally. These positions are supported by the Department of Education and Renewing the Countryside.

Saturday October 25

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Saturday October 25
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Madison Public Library - Central, 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

During the Wisconsin Book Festival, Curt Meine will talk about the book in a discussion with author Sonja Trom Eayrs (Dodge County, Incorporated), in a session on “The Fight for Rural America.” 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Wednesday October 29

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Wednesday October 29
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Thursday October 30

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Thursday October 30
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

View Full Calendar

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