To be sure, our food supply chain has been challenged during these difficult times. Some consumers didn’t always find the products they wanted at their local stores, but what's most important is we never ran out of food. We should take great pride in how Minnesota's farmers, agribusinesses, and food companies rallied with grit, creativity, and innovation to ensure the delivery of food products in Minnesota, across the country, and around the world.
Agriculture and food production has always been an essential and major sector of Minnesota's economy. Agriculture was the state’s first modern industry. Milling led to the birth of the Twin Cities, and the movement of Minnesota’s crops and livestock helped shape the state’s network of highways, railroads, barges, and the Duluth seaport.
Today, Minnesota’s food and agriculture sector has emerged as an economic powerhouse that supports more than 400,000 jobs and generates $112 billion in economic impact across the state — from the smallest rural towns to the suburbs to urban centers such as Duluth. This pillar of our state economy begins with nearly 69,000 farms (98% family operations) and extends to more than 1,000 farm- and food-related businesses boasting 18 Minnesota companies with over $500 million in annual sales.
Our farmers, scientists, major businesses, and entrepreneurs are sparking new inventions and creating economic opportunities for a variety of businesses and industries, including manufacturing, financing, food processing, distribution, transportation, and retail.
Agriculture is on the cutting edge of technology, employing GPS systems, farm-management platforms, and genetic research that helps feed more people while using fewer resources. Indeed, Minnesota’s farming operations look quite different than what you might imagine 30 years ago. Drones are collecting data and images for crop management, terrain assessment, and exterior building inspections. Robotics, including automated crop machinery and feed systems, are helping farmers manage soil quality and animal health. Computerized irrigation systems are boosting yields and saving water and energy by using in-field sensors to optimize the delivery of water to where it is needed.
This level of innovation is generating new investments and creating higher-paying jobs that require employees with more education, technical skills, and training. As a result, Minnesota is emerging as a major hub for ag-tech in the Midwest.
Further, farmers and ranchers across Minnesota are harnessing this technology and innovation to adapt a variety of best practices to enhance sustainability, manage costs, and improve efficiencies. These practices allow farmers to more effectively protect water and soil, support more wildlife, and embrace a burgeoning renewable-energy economy.
Minnesota farmers have opened their land to host wind generators and solar power to produce green energy for homes, businesses, and other users across the entire state, including the Twin Cities. Without this collaboration between farmers and energy providers, the state cannot achieve its ambitious goals of renewable-energy production.
Despite this progress, Minnesota’s family farmers, farming-related businesses, and food companies are not immune to the impact of the pandemic and economic recession. Global trade conflicts have sharply reduced demand for Minnesota’s exports of food commodities and products, though we are hopeful about recent signs of recovery. Meanwhile, tax and regulatory policies continue to marginalize our competitiveness compared to other states.
Still, we believe the state’s agriculture and food sector offers some of the best opportunities to help the state's economy expand and thrive in the years ahead. Even in the most challenging times, Minnesota farmers help feed people across the state, the country and the world.
Whether you live in Minneapolis, Mahtomedi, Mankato, or Moorhead, it’s important to recognize that Minnesota’s food and ag sector has a presence and provides jobs in virtually every legislative district in the state. We have a vested interest in protecting one of Minnesota’s most vital economic contributors and are asking state and federal candidates to support policies for an industry sector that supports all of us.
Tamara Nelsen is executive director of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council in St. Paul. David Preisler is CEO of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association in Mankato, Minnesota, and is chair of A Greater Minnesota.
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October 31, 2020 at 10:00PM
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Statewide View: Even in tough times, Minnesota farmers rallying to feed the world - Duluth News Tribune
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