NEW ULM — The Land Stewardship Action Fund (LSAF) today announced its endorsement of Mindy Kimmel in her race for the Minnesota State House, District 16B. Beth Slocum, LSAF’s board chair and a Goodhue County farmer, said Kimmel has made it clear she is dedicated to advancing policies that will help develop thriving rural communities where everyone is able to earn a living wage, access quality healthcare and education, and afford housing and land ownership.

“Mindy Kimmel knows the people of her home town of New Ulm, as well as throughout House District 16B, and is ready to be our voice in the Minnesota State House of Representatives,” said Slocum. “Mindy knows our farm communities and what they face. She knows that independent family farmers are stewards of the land, our water and our food, and she knows that we need more small and mid-sized farmers on the land to protect our local food supply, implement practices to help fight the impacts of climate change and support rural economies.”

According to Land Stewardship Action Fund director Megan Jekot, in 2020 LSAF is mobilizing supporters in rural and small-town communities across the state to work to elect champions who will meaningfully fight for its issues — getting more farmers on the land, supporting farming practices to reduce the impact of climate change, and building a strong, resilient local food system. Jekot added that LSAF is looking for candidates, like Kimmel, who will fight for community members’ best interests in creating a healthy environment that results in healthy people, with farms and rural communities that are just and thriving.

“We want champions who will consistently represent our values of caring for the land and people and who will commit to co-govern alongside us in order to shift the balance of power back to the people at all levels of government,” said Jekot.

Slocum added that Kimmel’s bold vision and background make her an ideal candidate for being endorsed by LSAF.

“Mindy’s work as a mental health professional has given her the training to actively listen to people in her community and we know that she will bring her community-centered approach to the Legislature to govern collaboratively,” said Slocum. “That is why the Land Stewardship Action Fund board is proud to endorse her in her run for the Minnesota State House.”

Learn more about Mindy Kimmel and her campaign at kimmelforhouse.com.

Visit www.landstewardshipaction.org to learn more about how LSAF’s rural members are championing candidates as they push for action on solutions to the crises facing farm and rural communities.