Agriculture has never been more important to the future of Minnesota, and Minnesota agriculture has never faced a more stark contrast between two Senate candidates. Having never lived in a town of more than 500 until graduating from college, Mark understands rural Minnesota. Mark knows our farmers are the best in the world and they deserve the opportunity to sell their products across the globe. Mark is an advocate of ending the death tax and is committed to making sure future generations have the ability to preserve family farms. As a member of the Agriculture Committee in 2002, Mark helped draft the current farm bill. Minnesota farmers need a Senator who grew up in rural Minnesota, understands agriculture, has experience crafting a Farm Bill and has the ear of the Secretary of Agriculture and the President. If you believe Minnesota farmers play a vital role in rural Minnesota and want to keep it that way, join Farmers for Mark!
Securing a Strong Safety Net for Farmers:
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee that wrote the current Farm Bill, Mark understands Minnesota agriculture and will fight to protect existing farm programs in the Senate. He will work to renew the Farm Bill as well as Trade Promotion Authority. Promoting Minnesota Grown Energy:
Before coming to Congress, Mark set a goal of doubling ethanol production. We’ve done that and are set to double it again in the Energy Bill Mark helped pass last year. In addition, Mark has introduced legislation to take away tax credits from oil companies and redirect them to stations that install E85 pumps. Mark supports adopting Minnesota’s 10 % renewable energy requirement at the national level – the 10 by 10 Act, and increasing it to 25% by 2025.
Reducing Energy Costs:
The current natural gas crisis is putting Minnesota farmers at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world. That’s why Mark supported legislation to allow states to pursue responsible natural gas exploration in the deep ocean off our coast to bring down the high cost of fertilizer facing farmers today.
Expanding Market Opportunities for Farmers:
Minnesota agriculture benefits from agreements that expand demand for our crops. Mark will support fair agreements that are good for Minnesota agriculture, while making certain that much needed improvements to our locks and dams along the Mississippi are a top priority.
Ending the Death Tax Once and For All:
Mark has consistently voted to eliminate the death tax and end the burden this tax places on Minnesota farm families.
Delivering for Rural Communities:
Delivered a grant that was critical to help start Minnesota Soybean Processors who now have one of Minnesota’s three biodiesel plants
Secured legislation for rural electric cooperatives that will save Minnesota ratepayers over $200 million Passed legislation to help regain TB free status and extend MILC
Enacted grants for rural ambulances and for fairer funding for health care for rural providers
Acted decisively to help Southern Minn survive a disastrous freeze
Amy Klobuchar has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters that:
Opposes deep-sea exploration to lower natural gas prices and the cost of fertilizer
Opposes upgrading locks and dams on the Mississippi
Opposed the Energy Bill that established a renewable energy standard
Amy Klobuchar supports tax policies that would keep the Death Tax alive
The following farmers are supporting Mark’s U.S. Senate campaign and serve on Kennedy’s Agriculture Advisory Committee:
Duane Adams, Past President of MN Corn Growers
Karen Richter, Past President of Minnesota Pork Producers
Neil Rudeen, Past Chairman of Southern MN Sugar Beet Cooperative
Kristin Duncanson, Past President of Minnesota Soybean Growers
Jay Nord, Sugar Farmer near Wolverton
Jim Quackenbush, Former President of MN Pork Producers
Sheldon Melberg, Past Board member of Souther Minn
Paul Aasness, Former state rep from Fergus Falls
Steve Brake, Past President of MN Cattlemen
Brian Boll, Sugar and livestock producer near Crookston
Ed Hegland, Past President MN Soybean Growers
Jack Lacey, Farmer in Wendell
Sandy Ludeman, Farmer in Tracy
Ron Obermoller, Former President of the Minnesota Corn Growers
Dana Allen, Dairy Farmer in Eyota
Gary Joachim, Farmer in Claremont
