Lawmakers React to Frerick Presentation

The reaction to the Austin Frerick presentation in the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee was wide-ranging. Shoreview DFL Representative David Gottfried praised the discussion and said more should be done for small farms. “By shaping the market to be more conducive to those small and local farmers, are a way for us to correct the market so that we can keep Minnesota dollars in Minnesota, keep Minnesota food in Minnesota, feeding Minnesotans in a virtuous cycle.” Henderson Republican Bobbie Harder challenged the author, saying he was disparaging farmers. House Agriculture Committee Co-Chair Paul Anderson, a Republican from Starbuck, also disagreed with numerous policy positions advanced in the presentation. “Your comments on ethanol, you said corn is making our food more expensive. My goodness, the price of corn today is bargain basement, under the cost of production, and to say that that is causing food prices to go up, I totally disagree with that statement.” Ag Committee Co-Chair Rick Hansen defended the presentation, saying the committee shouldn’t be afraid to hear different viewpoints.