Articles tagged under: Joe Smentek
Finding Middle Ground for Right-to-Repair Policy
Published January 21, 2024
Right-to-repair can be a complex issue. “There’s a lot of things farmers can fix and having access to those codes to tell the computer it’s fixed and get going again is very important to our growers,” said Joe Smentek, executive…Advocating for Minnesota Soybeans in the EU
Published April 20, 2023
The Port of Duluth is being promoted as an option to export Minnesota soybeans and other commodities. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek was part of a USDA trade trip to the Netherlands. Buyers from throughout the entire…MN Soybean Growers Ask USTR to Address Five Trade Barriers
Published November 7, 2021
The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association would like the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to address at least five non-tariff trade barriers for agriculture in the next year. MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek says there are issues with GMO tolerance…California Clean Cars Initiative a Hurdle in MN Legislature
Published May 17, 2021
Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek says the California Clean Cars Initiative has been a hurdle in getting much done in the Minnesota Legislature. Senate Republicans believe the State Legislature, not the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, should be…MSGA/MCGA Outline Ag Policy Priorities at Small Grain Meeting
Published January 14, 2021
Farm policy was part of Tuesday’s virtual Small Grains Update Meeting. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek outlined a few of the association’s policy priorities. "The Minnesota Agriculture Department recently added two neonicotinoids for surface waters and along…Navigating EPA’s Cancellation Order for Dicamba
Published June 10, 2020
It’s been more than a week since the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to vacate the registration of three dicamba products. Since then, the EPA issued a cancellation order for the products. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe…Keeping a Steady Supply Chain
Published March 30, 2020
Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an emergency executive order to provide an Hours of Service and weight restriction relief for commercial vehicle drivers hauling livestock. According to Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek, it's important for…Tariffs Make Things Complicated for Soybean Growers
Published March 1, 2019
China has made a promise to buy 10 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, but the trade hasn't seen the purchases come through yet. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek says U.S. farmers have a good product. "I…Smentek Promoted to MSGA Executive Director
Published October 15, 2018
The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association has selected Joe Smentek as the new executive director. As former Director of Public Affairs, Smentek is tells the Red River Farm Network he’s ready to make progress for farmers in St. Paul. “We’ve already…