Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen was part of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. and addressed trade, disaster assistance, and regulatory uncertainty. There was also an opportunity to network with other state agriculture directors, commissioners and secretaries. Peterson also emphasized the importance of cooperation among neighboring states, particularly in trade and transportation. “North Dakota, for example, Commissioner (Doug) Goering and I talk a lot about using the Duluth Port.,” said Petersen. “Those North Dakota crops can come right over on Highway 2, get on a ship and go out to Morocco, Africa, and Europe.” Petersen was happy to have Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, both from his home state, at the NASDA conference. Click here to listen to the full interview.
