MINNEAPOLIS — The struggles of farmers across the state ultimately affect your grocery bill and on Thursday, hundreds of them got together at the Minnesota Ag & Food Summit to talk about what their future looks like.
Farmers across the state filled the Minneapolis Convention Center for AgriGrowth’s 2022 Minnesota Ag & Food Summit to hear experts address a number of issues.
“They're really happy for this little bit of rain we're getting,” said Tamara Nelson, the executive director of the AgriGrowth Council. “And they're probably most concerned about what their input costs will be for their next crop.”
“Inflation is what everyone wants to talk about,” said Dan Kowalski, an economist who looks at trends affecting food and agriculture.
Kowalski is also the head of strategy and research for CoBank, which is part of the Farm Credit System.
He said that inflation coupled with nationwide drought are key reasons why your dinners cost more.
“Food and fuel prices are still very volatile, still higher than the general rate of inflation,” said Kowalski. “So yes, it has a ways to come back down.”
Pat Duncanson is a fifth-generation owner of Highland Family Farms in Blue Earth County.
He said that while his farm has been lucky when it comes to drought conditions, supply chain issues affected his business.
“The availability and the pricing on a lot of our key inputs, like fuel, like fertilizer had been in question,” said Duncanson.
Senator Tina Smith says Minnesota farmers have the support of the federal government.
“I will say that I believe that we accomplish that with the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Smith. “Which is the single-largest investment in action in our nation's history, to address the climate emergency to lower energy costs and to support climate-smart agriculture.”
But the industry is crossing its fingers that with rain on the horizon and the hope of future stable prices, they'll be in for easier times.
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