Skip to main content
Image
Photo of a marina filled with boats

Congresswoman Angie Craig Hosts Northfield Farmer Mike Peterson at Agriculture Committee Hearing

May 9, 2019

Peterson discusses impact of financial stress and trade war; asks Congress to take action for family farmers

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig hosted Mike Peterson, a fourth-generation farmer from Northfield, MN at a hearing on the state of the farm economy for the House Agriculture Committee's General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. In addition to farming nearly 800 acres of corn and soybeans, Mike and his family own a welding and fabrication business and a golf driving range on their farm, and they have been previously recognized as the Rice County Farm Family of the year.

Craig has been working with family farmers across the district as they face a difficult economic climate with decreasing commodity prices and a harmful trade war. That's why she has made it a priority to use her role on the House Agriculture Committee to make the voices of Second District farmers heard in Washington.

You can watch their remarks here.

"Listening to Minnesota's farmers must remain our top priority as we look at ways to support our family farmers and implement the Farm Bill effectively," said Craig. "Washington needs to listen to family farmers like Mike who are doing all they can to fight a trade war and make a living for their families. Our farmers aren't asking for much - just a fair shot at passing their farm on to the next generation. I was honored to have Mike in Washington this week and hope my colleagues are ready to continue Congress' work to support American agriculture."

"Rural America is an incredible asset, and I'd like to see Congress give rural folks the fair financial tools to successfully answer to the needs of consumers, the environment, and the global population we feed," said Peterson. "It is an honor to represent my fellow farmers and rural residents from Minnesota."

Since being sworn in, Craig has held several listening sessions with farmers in the Second District to discuss the need for trade negotiations, timely implementation of the farm bill, and expansion of mental health resources in rural areas. Listening to farmers and bringing their concerns to her work on the Agriculture Committee continues to be one of her top priorities.