ANNUAL MEETING: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “We had a great start to MN Ag Expo 2025 with MCGA's resolutions session and annual meeting! Thanks to the delegates from our state's 52 county corn organizations for the productive and engaging discussion on 2025 policy priorities. Also at our annual meeting, we held elections to the MCGA Board of Directors.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/40BKMpl (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
WORKFORCE: From Ana Radelat via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Saying fewer and fewer native-born Americans want to work for them, Minnesota’s farmers, dairymen and ranchers are increasingly reliant on a foreign-born workforce that is under threat in the new Trump administration. Minnesota’s robust agriculture industry employs both undocumented migrants and foreign-born workers who are in the United States on a provisional or temporary basis. The largest group of immigrant farmworkers are undocumented. The Center for Migration studies estimates that 86% of agricultural workers are foreign born and 45% of them are undocumented.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aBelvM
FARM BILL: Via AgriPulse, VERBATIM: “House Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson indicated Monday he wants to limit cuts to SNAP that Republicans will try to make through the budget reconciliation process. But the panel’s new top Democrat, Rep. Angie Craig, questioned whether he can hold the line and warned that a deep reduction could ultimately doom a new farm bill. She also said the committee's farm bill last year was skewed to benefit southern farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40Pa4RZ
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The new Congress has a full plate, dealing with the debt ceiling, a tax bill and the confirmation process. However, American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Neil Rockstad would like to see the farm bill completed sooner rather than later.” QUOTE: “I think it would be an excellent win for Congress if it is their first bipartisan bill to come out this year,” said Rockstad. “I’m not convinced that is going to happen, but I think there is a little bit of a push for it because they need a win early on and the hopeful side of me would like to see the farm bill being part of that.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40O7pbc
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
WATER: From Peyton Haug via Agweek, VERBATIM: “North Dakota lawmakers have reluctantly admitted something about the state's neighbor to the east: Minnesota might be better at managing its water resources. The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously recommended Friday, Jan. 24, that the North Dakota Legislature pass Senate Bill 2210, which proposes a study of how the state could redraw its water districts — adopting methodology similar to what's used in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hd09LQ
MORE: Via Farmonaut, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s approach to water management offers valuable insights for North Dakota. The Minnesota Watershed Act established water districts governed by boards with appointed members, involving community input through advisory committees. These districts wield extensive powers to guide water projects and regulate water usage effectively. North Dakota lawmakers, including Senator Larry Luick, have recognized the merits of Minnesota’s system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WvgqDt
CONVENTION: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The American Farm Bureau Convention is underway in San Antonio. Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing says as members gather in Texas, there will be many challenges to discuss.” GLESSING: “Just the uncertainty of the farm economy right now and commodity prices, issues around trade, as well as farm bill. Of course we weren’t excited about the first extension, we’re really not excited about this next extension.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40zN4oH
MORE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “More waiting for a farm bill. American Farm Bureau vice president of public policy Sam Kieffer says before Congress can focus on passing a new five-year farm bill, budget reconciliation needs to be settled.” KIEFFER: “The big question that has yet to be answered is will it be one big beautiful reconciliation bill like President Trump has said, or will it be two like Senator Thune has suggested and some members in the House are requesting? If it’s one, that can clear the deck for other business later on in the year.” But if it’s split, he tells Brownfield. “That will certainly delay when Congress has the time and attention to spend on a farm bill and other priorities.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42v4lSA
MORE: Also via Brownfield, AFB president Zippy Duvall’s opening remarks to the convention in which he discussed the Farm Bill and ag labor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gbkwHX
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
CROP INSURANCE: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “During the next few weeks, farm operators will be finalizing their crop insurance decisions for the 2025 crop year. March 15th is the deadline to purchase crop insurance for the 2025 crop year. The 2025 Spring price for corn should be similar to last year, while the soybean Spring price is likely to be reduced from the base price level in 2024. There still should be some favorable crop insurance guarantees again this year at reasonable premium costs. USDA has increased the premium subsidies for ECO and SCO insurance products, which may enhance crop insurance choices for farmers in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42ONOJJ
FARMLAND: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Green energy projects infringing on farmland is a concern among American Farm Bureau members gathering at their annual convention this week in San Antonio. Ohio Farm Bureau president Bill Patterson says land is being devoured by green energy.” PATTERSON: “There’s a balance, right. And we’re trying to find the balance and trying to figure out how to meet the energy needs of a nation while meeting the food needs of a nation. So that’s a big part of where we’re at and a big part of what we want to speak to on the floor.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gg9rWh
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced key appointments by President Donald J. Trump to support his administration’s focus on forest management, wildfire prevention, and natural resource conservation. Ahead of the President's visit to California to assess wildfire damage, these appointments highlight a renewed dedication to protecting communities, enhancing forest health, and ensuring responsible stewardship of natural resources.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3CrZjfi
MSGA: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Everywhere you looked at the 2025 MN Ag Expo, Darin Johnson was nearby and stepping up to the microphone in support of Minnesota soybean farmers and the state’s agriculture industry. ‘There were so many great conversations,’ the Wells farmer said. From the outset of the two-day trade show and conference in Mankato, Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), welcomed attendees during Tuesday’s Opening Reception; visited with farmers and industry partners in Minnesota Soybean’s booth; spoke with regional media; participated in a panel discussion on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); discussed market outlooks with CHS; engaged with legislative leaders and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture; took a selfie with Ag Expo keynote Rob Sharkey; mentored farmers during the Young & Emerging Farmer Workshop; presented to the Minnesota Agricultural & Rural Leadership (MARL) program; and led MSGA’s annual meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42uRKik
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SUPER BOWL: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, keep food safety in your playbook to ensure that bacteria doesn’t run out the clock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has a game plan to keep your Super Bowl servings penalty free.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hAs7Bb
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