Listen to Scott Hennen’s full interview with Collin Peterson
REGION – Former Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson is weighing in on the current farm economy and policy regarding agriculture in the Trump Administration.
The former Democrat was chair of the U.S. House’s Agriculture Committee for two different stints – the first was from 2007 until 2011, then again from 2019 until 2021
Peterson says bankers told him more than 70 percent of farms were profitable last year.
“People are concerned where this is heading,” he said. “But it’s not a panic situation in our part of the world.”
Peterson said other regions growing crops like cotton, rice, and peanuts are in significant trouble and are pushing for government bailouts.
Regarding the Trump administration’s current policy on agriculture, he said it’s not working.
“For the government, for the farmers, for agribusiness, for anybody,” Peterson said. “Because every year, we’re having to send money to farmers.”
He said the current bridge payments aren’t a permanent solution.
“We should be looking at the farm policy and why the safety net is not adequate to work for farmers and bankers,” Peterson said.
He appeared on The Flag’s What’s On Your Mind.
