Dairy farmers meet with legislators

Several dozen Minnesota dairy farmers met with legislators Wednesday, including Red Wing Sen. Matt Schmit, and stopped by Gov. Mark Dayton’s office. The governor joked with the group, which included President Patrick Lunemann of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, who gave two cartons of milk and a package of cheese.

Dayton also was serious when farmers told him about a health care proposal to help farmers that they say has languished in the Commerce Department for five years. He promised to personally check into it.

The farmers lobbied Dayton and legislators to support funding a new University of Minnesota dairy research facility.

Lunemann said that with a third of legislators new this year they “need help to understand our industry.”

Dayton told the farmers that his grandfather owned a dairy farm, as well as Dayton’s Department Store. He did well as a farmer, the governor said, because he sold all of his milk to the department store, which paid whatever price he wanted.

“I appreciate the dedication Farmers Union members have. It’s especially great to see young people get involved in the democratic process,” Schmit said.

Tags: news, minnesota, agriculture