Sen. Smith fought for a spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee because ag is the backbone of Minnesota’s economy.
All Minnesotans are impacted by the Farm Bill, and Sen. Smith heard from Minnesotans with backgrounds in farming, rural development, rural health, and nutrition to make sure that all voices were reflected in the final 5-year bill that passed in 2018. That legislation included many provisions that Sen. Smith authored and championed, including improvement to the dairy safety-net program, the legislative roadmap for the energy title, and improvement to USDA conservation programs. It also included many provisions that benefit Minnesota’s native communities and new American communities, like permanent funding for beginning and traditionally under-served farmer outreach programs.
Sen. Smith understands that it’s been a very difficult few years for agriculture, and she believes that the federal government should be giving farmers more support. She’s heard from farmers about the high cost of health care, including access to health care providers and access to mental health care resources, which is why Senator Smith championed the creation of the rural health liaison at the USDA as well as funding for local mental health resources and to expand access to stress reduction and suicide prevention programs.
As Chair of the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade she will advocate for provisions that benefit Minnesota farmers and use the platform to promote the importance of agriculture exports, which account for over 1/3 of Minnesota’s total exports. Additionally, she will push for more open foreign markets and strong crop insurance and commodity programs that help farmers in Minnesota and around the country manage uncertainties in the market.
You can learn more about Senator Smith’s efforts to make economic development in rural America a priority here.
Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Smith, Baldwin & Murphy Reintroduce Bill to Support Young Farmers, Forgive Student Loan Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) reintroduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, legislation to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as veteran, women and minority farmers. Beginning farmers are considered those who have less than 10 years of experience operating a farm. The ag industry will soon see major shifts in farm ownership with more than one-third of American farmers being 65 years old or older. Student loan debt is among the largest obstacles America’s young farmers face, placing an enormous financial strain on beginner farmers and discouraging others from pursuing careers in the agricultural industry. Unforgiven student debt has a disproportionate impact on the farming industry. The Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act would grant these farmers the support they need to invest in their farms and ranches and incentivize a new generation of farmers to enter the agricultural industry. “To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to continue to invest in the next generation of farmers as the average age of farmers keeps going up. There is more we can be doing to help future farmers fill their shoes,” said Sen. Smith. “Student debt is one of the most significant challenges our young farmers and ranchers face. This legislation would help encourage a younger, more diverse workforce and help more people start and stay in farming.” “Wisconsin farmers work hard to feed our families, support our rural economies, and
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Agriculture Committee’s Second Partisan Markup of Long-Delayed Farm Bill
The partisan legislation forces Minnesotans to pay $140 million in administrative costs, fails to address SNAP cuts WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, instead choosing to pass a partisan version drafted by Republicans that will not gain enough support to pass the full Senate: “I said it before and I’ll say it again, patience is a virtue, it’s just not my virtue. I’m disappointed that, once again, Republicans have pursued a partisan path on the Senate Farm Bill; however, we’ll keep working to find a path forward. It’s crucial that we pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural America, including year-round E15,” said Sen. Smith. “We have been clear for months that it is not possible to pass a Farm Bill that fails to delay the deep cuts to SNAP by at least two years. Minnesota counties simply can’t afford a $140 million tax increase to pay for these SNAP cost shifts,” she continued. “Amid shrinking markets, tariffs and skyrocketing costs for diesel and fertilizer, farmers need Congress to negotiate a comprehensive, bipartisan Farm Bill that stands a chance of becoming law.” Sen. Smith, along with her Democratic colleagues, were clear that they could not support a Farm Bill that did not delay the cost-shift of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by at least two years. Without this delay, counties would be forced to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Agriculture Committee’s Markup of Long-Delayed Farm Bill
Sen. Smith and colleagues offered dozens of amendments to strengthen the Farm Bill, which ultimately failed to gain bipartisan support WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill: “Patience is a virtue, it’s just not my virtue. I’m disappointed that we could not come to agreement on the Senate Farm Bill today, but we will keep working to find a path forward. It’s crucial that we pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural America, including year-round E15,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m glad that several of my provisions are included in this bill. However, it is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Proposed Delay of National Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after language delaying a national ban on most hemp-derived THC products, including THC beverages, was included in a must-pass budget resolution set to be voted on in the Senate this week. The ban was set to take place in November and would now be delayed until December, buying lawmakers more time to negotiate. “Adults should be allowed to have a THC beverage if they so choose. Minnesota has created one of the strongest, most carefully regulated systems in the country to allow the sale of hemp products. The
U.S. SENATOR TINA SMITH’S BIPARTISAN RURAL HOUSING SUPPLY LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW
9,000 homes in rural Minnesota will be saved by Smith’s bill MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), the top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced her major bipartisan bill to preserve 400,000 rural homes across the country became law today. Smith’s Rural Housing Service Reform Act was included in a housing supply package that passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. President Trump refused to sign the bill, but because he did not veto the legislation outright it automatically became law after 10 days of Presidential inaction. “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing in your life works. Not your health, not your job, and not your education,” said Senator Smith. “The lack of affordable, decent housing
U.S. Senators Smith, Klobuchar Secure Significant Federal Funding to Replace Bridges Over the Red River in Norman, Polk and Clay Counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $24 million for the Red River Regional Bridge System Replacement Project in Norman, Polk and Clay counties. The grant, provided through USDOT’s BUILD program, will replace up to three bridges over the Red River. This project upgrades aging bridges frequently impacted by flooding across the three counties. The bridge system supports commuters, freight movement and commercial transportation between Minnesota and North Dakota. “The bridges connecting Minnesota and North Dakota in the Red River Valley are vital to our ag
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