Speaking at the first-ever International Sugar Beet and Dry Bean Expo at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, Minnesota’s Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says combining the International Sugar Beet Expo and the Dry Bean Expo highlights how closely connected the two industries are and why the event continues to grow. “Once I walked in the door and just all the farmers that you see up here and get to know in the companies, and just look at a trade show, all the people that I want to talk to, it just shows the importance of this and what a great idea to combine these two shows,” Petersen said. He noted that about 60 percent of sugar beet growers also raise an edible bean, making the joint event a natural fit. Petersen says specialty crop producers continue to feel financial pressure, even with recent federal assistance. “There’s no doubt this has been a tough year for sugar,” Petersen said. “To see the billion dollars that was set aside for that, but there’s a lot of specialty crops lumped into that, and I think we’re going to bring that message that it may not be enough.” He added that high input costs and uncertain trade policy are ongoing concerns, stressing that stable, reliable trade relationships are critical for long-term market access for sugar and edible bean growers.
