Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Funding for Meat and Poultry Processing in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced funding for two Minnesota-based agricultural projects through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). The grants, totaling $2 million, will increase meat processing capacity, help Minnesota farmers access new markets, and create dozens of new jobs. “Minnesota’s meat and poultry products help feed the nation and the world,” said Klobuchar. “This new funding will make it easier for our processors to bolster their capacity and get their high quality meats to new markets.” “Minnesota has long been a linchpin in America’s agricultural market, and I’m proud to advocate for projects that allow farmers in Minnesota to expand their production and processing capabilities,” said Senator Smith.“Through these innovative projects, this funding will create more jobs in our agriculture workforce and support Minnesota producers breaking into new markets.” “Clean Chickens and Co. LLC has been approved for federal funding from the USDA Meat Poultry and Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP-2). We have been working on this project for nearly 4 years and are grateful for all of the help we received along the way,” said Greg Wierschke, a grant recipient from Clean Chickens and Co. LLC in Elk River.“More specifically, this project is needed to build the goat and lamb slaughter facility in Willmar, which will help central Minnesota economically and culturally by allowing us to process goats and sheep for producers and to supply fresh, on-demand meat to our Minnesota communities and Ethnic families. Stay tuned for more details to come this fall regarding
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Two USDA Farm to School Grants to Support Agricultural Education and Local Food Access in Minnesota Schools
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Grant program for two projects in Minnesota. The projects will expand agricultural education, support local producers, and incorporate local foods into child nutrition programs in Minnesota. Two projects in Minnesota will each receive $100,000 in funding for agricultural education and child nutrition programs: 1. The Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes: Funding will be used to purchase a “flex connect” farm system, 12 hydroponic towers used for crop growth, from Fork Farms. By purchasing the system, the Boys and Girls Club will expand educational opportunities for students, create an Entrepreneurial Program, and increase local food accessibility for students in Detroit Lakes. 2. Saint Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services: The grant will help expand its Grow Their Own program, a school gardening initiative which encourages food education through hands-on projects. The program currently supports student gardens at 28 different schools. Funding will go towards supporting more permanent staffing for student gardens, as well as expanding and diversifying educational opportunities through the initiative. “Providing nutritious school meals is critical for ensuring our students can succeed,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will expand students’ access to locally grown, nutritious food at school and bolster food education programs.” “Science has shown that proper nutrition is directly linked to academic performance, but too many of our students are not receiving the kinds of healthy meals they need to thrive in the classroom,” said Senator Smith. “This funding will
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Says More Information Coming Forward on How National Gas Price Spike is Hurting Families Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/23/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said more information is coming to light about how families will be hurt financially following the price of natural gas quickly spiking when extreme weather hit Texas and other parts of the central United States. During a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC) hearing earlier today, utilities shared how these costs are projected to be passed on to customers, with major utilities estimating per customer costs averaging $250 or more. Additionally, yesterday, following Sen. Smith’s letter seeking an investigation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that they had launched an investigation
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Address America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/23/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith introduced legislation to address America’s worsening maternal mortality crisis, which has a disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, Indigenous and all People of Color. The Data to Save Moms Act seeks to understand the root causes of this emergency by improving data collection on maternal mortality and morbidity. Sen. Smith said that the United States is the only industrialized country with an increasing maternal mortality rate, and that it’s one that discriminates. African American, Native and Indigenous women are two and a half times as likely to die due to a pregnancy related complication as white women. “I believe in the fundamental value that all
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Votes to Confirm Tom Vilsack for U.S. Agriculture Secretary as Senate Gives Nomination Final Approval
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/23/21]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) voted to confirm Tom Vilsack as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as the Senate gave final approval to his nomination. Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Vilsack, a former Iowa Governor who previously served eight years as Agriculture Secretary under President Obama, understands how important agriculture is to the economic well-being of farmers and communities in the upper Midwest and across the country. “I supported Secretary Vilsack’s nomination because he understands the challenges farmers, ranchers and rural communities have faced in recent years with low farm prices, trade disruptions,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: EPA Decision to Limit Abuse of Small Refinery Hardship Waivers Will Boost Rural Economy, Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/22/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a longtime champion of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)—released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it supports the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals’ RFS small-refinery requirement ruling, which could limit abuse of small refinery hardship waivers. “A strong Renewable Fuel Standard is critically important to Minnesota, where ethanol produced from corn creates billions of dollars in economic output and supports thousands of jobs,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “I applaud the EPA’s decision to crack down on the abuse of hardship waivers. It’s a welcome change after the last four years, when we saw more than a 300% increase in the
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