Minnesota has a chance right now to stand up for independent dairy farmers, rural communities, and fair markets — but state decision-makers need to hear from us.

Take action today: RSVP for a July 28 virtual public meeting and submit a written comment to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture between July 28 and October 1.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering public input on the social and economic impacts of large-scale dairies after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) declined to require a full environmental impact statement for Riverview LLP’s proposed West River Dairy expansion near Morris. Riverview wants to grow one facility from 7,855 cows to 18,855 cows — that’s an unprecedented scale that would further concentrate dairy production at the very moment Minnesota family dairy farmers are fighting to stay on the land.

This is not just about one permit. It is about whether Minnesota’s farm and food system will work for family farmers and rural communities — or whether industrial mega-dairies will continue to flood the market, push independent producers out of business, and drain wealth from local economies.

Your voice already helped force this conversation. More than 1,400 Land Stewardship Project members and allies spoke up during the MPCA process, raising questions about the economic and community impacts of mega-dairy consolidation. Now the MDA is asking for that input directly, and we need to make sure family farmers and rural residents are heard loud and clear.

 Here’s How You Can Help:

• RSVP for one of the MDA’s virtual public meetings on Tuesday, July 28, noon – 1 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• The comment period opens July 28. Submit a written comment online by Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. Share why fair markets, thriving rural communities, and independent family farms matter to you.

For too long, corporate consolidation has been treated as inevitable. It is not. Together, we can demand policies that keep farmers on the land, protect rural communities, and build a food and farm system rooted in stewardship, fairness, and local power.

Please take a few minutes today to RSVP, submit your comment, and help show state leaders that Minnesotans are ready to stand with family farmers. Drop us a quick note to let us know if you will be attending the July 28 virtual meetings so we might connect beforehand.