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SE MN Farmer Calls for Crop Insurance Reform During Capitol Hill Fly-in 

Advocates from 6 States Call for Federal Policy that Bolsters Sustainable Agriculture & Addresses Climate Change 

June 26, 2023

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ORONOCO, Minn. —  Southeastern Minnesota farmer Angela Smith had an important message for lawmakers when she traveled to the nation’s capital earlier this month: small and diversified farmers, as well as beginning farmers, need much better access to crop insurance in order to survive and thrive at a time of extreme climate change. Smith, who is a member of the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project (LSP), joined farmers and other sustainable agriculture advocates from across the country in pushing for a 2023 Farm Bill that supports crop insurance reform, conservation, climate-smart agriculture, small meat processing, and publicly-funded sustainable agriculture research. The policy fly-in was hosted by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and included more than seven meetings with Congressional leaders and USDA officials. Delegations from Minnesota, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan and Pennsylvania were involved in the fly-in.

“I went to D.C. because I wanted a chance to talk to legislators about why having access to crop insurance that supports diversified, small farms like ours is essential,” said Smith, who owns Middle Fork Farm, a fruit, vegetable and herb operation located near Oronoco along the middle fork of the Zumbro River. “Our farm has experienced weather extremes from flooding to drought over the past several years and recently signed up for the USDA’s Micro Farm crop insurance program so that we could keep on farming during these unpredictable times. I hope that the next Farm Bill will improve this program so that more small farms feeding their local communities can survive and thrive.”

Smith and the other fly-in participants voiced their support for specific pieces of legislation, such as the Agriculture Resilience Act and the Strengthening Local Processing Act. The Farm Bill, which is renewed every five years, controls everything from what is grown in states like Minnesota to how much access to food low income families have. The current ag law is set to expire Sept. 30, and lawmakers are currently drafting its possible replacement. Minnesota has the potential to have an outsized impact on the shape of the 2023 Farm Bill, given that four members of the Congressional delegation serve on legislative agriculture committees.

Sarah Goldman, an LSP organizer who also participated in the fly-in earlier this month, said it’s become clear in recent years that farmers in all regions of the country are increasingly confronted with climate-related challenges such as extreme weather events, pests, and hotter and drier conditions. These challenges affect productivity and livelihoods and take a toll on natural resources, and farmers urgently need greater support and access to federal programs in order to implement effective solutions, she said.

“Lawmakers need to hear the voices and stories of farmers and advocates like Angela so they can craft a Farm Bill that leverages the power of our nation’s food and agricultural system to seek solutions that ensure that America is resilient and healthy for generations to come,” said Goldman. “LSP farmer-members like her are resilient, innovative entrepreneurs, but they deserve additional support to allow them to adapt to the growing climate and market disruptions that have become widespread over the past five years.”

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Category: News Releases
Tags: 2023 Farm Bill • climate change • crop insurance reform • federal ag policy

Contact

Sarah Goldman, LSP, e-mail, 612-400-6341

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July 2025

Wednesday July 9

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Wednesday July 9
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Land Stewardship Project, 180 E Main St, Lewiston, MN 55952, USA

Spring planting is behind us and midsummer is upon us! Take a quick break from all the action by celebrating summer with the Land Stewardship Project by joining us for lunch at our Lewiston office.

Our Summer Potluck will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m., at our office in downtown Lewiston, Minn. (180 E. Main Street). This will be an opportunity to build community, hear from other farmers, socialize, and enjoy a great meal together. We also invite everyone to take a self-guided tour of the newly renovated spaces in our office that we have been working on over the winter. As a member-driven organization, this is your space too.

LSP will be providing the main dish (meat and vegetarian options) and we invite you to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to all, so please bring a friend or two as well. Let’s celebrate the joy of summer through good food and good company!

RSVP’s are encouraged, but not required. Hope to see you there — you can RSVP by e-mailing LSP’s Alex Romano direct.

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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