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Pass Drought Relief NOW

Minnesota House Ag Committee Passes Package; Senate Ag Committee Next

February 14, 2022

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As you know, this past summer’s drought created one of the most difficult growing seasons that Minnesota has seen in decades. Farmers had to make incredibly hard decisions: ending CSA deliveries early or entirely, selling or processing livestock early to save costs, paying to dig deeper wells or new ones entirely, and investing in new irrigation equipment. And some farmers even had to make the difficult decision to leave farming altogether.

On Feb. 16, the House Agriculture Committee approved the  Governor’s proposed drought relief package: $5 million to go toward rapid, non-competitive response grants to provide relief for specialty crop and livestock producers and $5 million for the state’s Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Qualifying farmers can expect to see $5,000 to $10,000 in payments, depending on the number of applications received and pending legislative approval. The loan program administered by the Rural Finance Authority would offer drought relief loans.

Now, we need the Senate Agriculture Committee to hear and support this proposal quickly so that farmers can access these funds now. Take action with us and contact the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee to support drought relief NOW.

We need you to take action with us by contacting House and Senate Agriculture Committee members to make sure these funds can get to farmers who need them.

While we know these funds will not make operations whole, they can help farmers mitigate some of the costs this past season imposed on them and keep on the land more farmers who are stewarding our soils and feeding our communities.

This past fall during the Land Stewardship Project’s drought listening session, we heard from farmers that, while retroactive relief is important and necessary, we also need long-term solutions: investing in climate resiliency and adapting new practices, creating infrastructure to support small and midsized farms, and providing resources for long-term planning.

We will continue to work for long-term solutions that create systems of support for small and midsized farms. Take action with us NOW to provide immediate relief for farmers impacted by this summer’s drought.

Take Action!

 

Category: Action Alerts
Tags: climate change • drought • drought relief • extreme weather • Minnesota Legislature

Contact

Laura Schreiber, LSP policy organizer, e-mail, 612-207-4693

Upcoming Events

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May 2022

Wednesday May 18

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
LSP Food Systems Virtual Listening Session
LSP Food Systems Virtual Listening Session
Wednesday May 18
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

The Land Stewardship Project will hold a virtual listening session on regional food systems. Register here.

Thursday May 19

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk
Thursday May 19
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP will hold a Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Oak Creek Pastures in Ossian, Iowa. Sign-in for this free event begins at 4:45 p.m. Supper will be provided; suggested $3-$5 meal contribution.

Scott & Amanda Holthaus of Oak Creek Pastures are hosting a pasture walk for area graziers to show cattle grazing on crop-ground planted last fall to a diverse winter cover mix (rye, vetch, triticale, winter barley) and results of winter bale grazing on permanent pasture. There will be a discussion around fencing and watering considerations for maximizing grazing days.
 
Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/aYx1CibrAUaEu0XVPjqlIw2.

Friday May 20

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Farm Bill Listening Session for Retiring Farmers, Non-operating Landowners
Farm Bill Listening Session for Retiring Farmers, Non-operating Landowners
Friday May 20
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Join the Land Stewardship Project on Friday, May 20, from noon-1 p.m., for a virtual conversation with other retiring farmers and non-operating landowners to discuss how federal policy could better support your efforts to build a more just and resilient agricultural system. To register, click here.

Saturday May 21

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Farmer Fiesta at Whitewater State Park
Farmer Fiesta at Whitewater State Park
Saturday May 21
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Get to know other farmers and learn about conservation programs while enjoying a build-your-own taco bar with locally grown foods and ice cream served by the Winona County Dairy Princess. After supper, area farmer and soil conservationist Martin Larsen will share his experiences caving below the farm fields of southeastern Minnesota. Reserve a spot for this free Friends of Whitewater State Park event by e-mailing sara.holger@state.mn.us or calling 507-312-2308.

Tuesday May 24

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
LSP Food Systems In-Person Listening Session
LSP Food Systems In-Person Listening Session
Tuesday May 24
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

The Land Stewardship Project will be holding an in-person listening session on regional food systems in Montevideo, Minn. Register here.

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • Let’s Get a Robust State Budget Across the Finish Line! May 17, 2022
  • Only 13 Days Left to Invest in Farmers May 10, 2022
  • Rural Voices Hold More Power Than You Think May 5, 2022
  • Legislative Session Heads into its Final Days May 4, 2022
  • LSP Pasture Walk to Feature Spring Grazing of Cover Crops May 19 near Ossian  April 25, 2022

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Lewiston

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Lewiston, MN 55952

(507) 523-3366

Minneapolis

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Minneapolis, MN 55407

(612) 722-6377

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