The farmers were among 43 people who gave listening session input to Congressional leaders for more than two hours.

“Milk prices are grossly insufficient for today’s dairy farmers,” said Ron Behounek of Hayfield. “This year’s downward trend in milk payments has been totally unacceptable and makes it extremely difficult to pay overwhelming debt. It’s a total disaster.”

Behounek said his crop farming is what is keeping his farm operation going.

Franklin dairy farmer and producer James Kanne called for greater equity for all farmers.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center, talks with Farmfest Forum moderators Kent Thiesse, left; and media personality Blois Olson at the Farmfest Farm Bill listening session Wednesday.

“I realize we have farmers without crop insurance producing fruits and vegetables,” said Kanne. “We used to say farmers feed the world. Right now, we aren’t even feeding ourselves. Three out of the last five years, we’re run a deficit in our ag trade with the rest of the world. Why? Because we’re importing a lot of fruit and vegetables and ship commodities out. With more crop insurance, we could do better.”

Kanne said we’re in a climate change crisis moment.

“I probably won’t see so much of the effects of climate change, but my children and grandchildren will,” Kanne said. “The Farm Bill can make a difference.”

Theresa Keaveny of New Ulm and on behalf of Climate Land Leaders, a group of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin farmers and landowners stewarding their land by using soil health and regenerative farming practices said the demand for programs like EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands) and CSP (Conservation Security Program (a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical help to promote conservation) far outweighs available funding.

“Nationally, less than 30% of farmers who apply for CSP are awarded contracts,” said Keaveny. “In Minnesota last year, only 8% of farmers who applied were awarded CSP contracts. Many of those applications that weren’t accepted represent gains in soil and water health, local business contracts supporting implementation, increase farmer’s bottom lines and long-term farm resilience.

“The demand is there. We’ve only scratched the surface of the potential for Minnesota farms to lead in conservation agriculture,” Keaveny said.

“We’re asking for your leadership in protecting the Inflation Reduction Act funding for climate-smart agriculture so we can continue to invest long-term in farmers and farm resilience.”

First District Congressman Brad Finstad, R-New Ulm thanked farmers for feeding and fueling the world.

“It’s so important to remember food security is national security, said Finstad. “We’re committed to working on the Farm Bill to give a hand up, not a hand out.”

Finstad said he has attended dozens of Farm Bill listening sessions across the country and has heard many familiar themes including protecting crop insurance and price supports.

Sixth District Republican Congressman Tom Emmer said the Farm Bill should include agriculture apprenticeships and tax incentives.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G. T. Thompson, R-Pa. said he will use the upcoming farm bill to address a Supreme Court ruling upholding a California animal welfare rule that pork producers warn will generate a patchwork of laws that interfere with interstate commerce. Thompson said Congress has the power to address issues raised by California’s Proposition 12.

The law requires that pork products coming from a pig born to a sow with room to turn around in her enclosure. Anything less than a 24-square-foot space is cruelty to animals, according to the law.

California extended the compliance date from July 1 to Dec. 31 for whole pork products already in the supply chain.

Thompson said the Supreme Court decision creates possible trade wars among states and agriculture regulatory burdens. The current farm bill expires Sept. 30.

“We’ll address Proposition 12 provisions,” said Thompson.

Republican lawmakers from Iowa and Kansas have filed bills that would nullify Proposition 12 and bar states and local governments from adopting or putting in force similar laws or regulations.

“We’re also working on modernized dairy margin coverage,” said Thompson. “If farm families fail, every American fails.”

Gov. Walz said one of the things he’s most excited about is opening up new foreign dairy markets and seeing Minnesota lead the world in aviation biofuels production.

“Things get done at the speed of trust. We need to speed up processes that create jobs and energy solutions.”