Friends and neighbors:

From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, we owe so much to America’s farmers, producers, and agricultural leaders. However, their contributions are often overlooked.

That is why, since 1973, the Agriculture Council of America has organized National Agricultural Day to recognize the central role agriculture plays in our lives. On Tuesday, March 24, communities across Minnesota and our nation celebrated this observance.

Minnesota continues to be a national leader in agriculture, and it is at the heart of communities across southwest Minnesota and throughout our state. We are home to more than 64,000 farms, most of them family-owned, that root us in our heritage while driving our economy and supporting our families.

Each year, agricultural production and processing industries generate more than $106 billion in total economic impact and support 388,134 jobs across the state. Minnesota farms produced more than $24.5 billion in sales in 2023, with nearly $9 billion in exports reaching customers around the globe.

Minnesota also continues to rank among the top states in production and exports, and we lead the nation in products such as turkeys, sugar beets, and green peas. Our strong food and beverage manufacturing sector supports more than 53,000 jobs and nearly 1,000 businesses statewide.

Please join me in thanking the farmers, producers, and workers who keep this vital industry strong.

Sincerely,

Senator Gary Dahms (R – Redwood Falls)