Senator Franken Meets with Soybean Farmers

MANKATO, MN (08/20/2009)(readMedia)-- "I'm here to learn," Senator Al Franken said Wednesday while meeting with soybean farmers at the Minnesota Soybean office in Mankato.

Franken requested the meeting with producers in an effort to learn more about agriculture and listen to their views on climate change and other legislation that will impact them.

Franken shared his thoughts about various pieces of legislation currently being debated in the U.S. Senate and promised the group he would make sure nothing would be done to threaten international trade.

Lance Peterson, soybean farmer from Underwood, Minn. noted that the ag industry is very energy intensive. He asked the Senator to be cautious about assumptions being used in production models when evaluating agriculture's role in proposed climate change legislation.

"For example," Peterson said, "no-till may work in Nebraska, but in Minnesota there are places where it simply can't be done. Decisions must be made carefully and with knowledge of production agriculture."

Bob Worth, soybean farmer from Lake Benton, thanked the Senator for his support of biodiesel as it relates to the Renewable Fuels Standard 2. Franken followed with his firm commitment to keep renewable fuels viable in the marketplace.

"I want to make sure that you guys survive and thrive," Franken said. "You are our strength."

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is a non-profit, farmer-controlled membership organization established in 1962. Its goal is to assure profitable soybean farming by monitoring government policies and supporting research and market development activities.

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