Post

Minnesota Farmers Union VP named to trade committee

The Vice President of the Minnesota Farmers Union has been selected to join an agricultural trade advisory committee.

Gary Wertish is one of 129 ag specialists named by US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. Wertish tells Brownfield he would like to represent family farmers while serving on the committee.

“We’re in the global economy and trade is needed.  I want to represent family farmers so that with trade agreements, try to put the voice forward so that when agreements are made, they bring benefits back to the farmer.”

He says having a voice at the table should benefit Minnesota agriculture.

“We’ll be able to put our input into this committee and directly to the Secretary, so this definitely helps.  We’ll see what the final outcome is because we don’t know; but it can’t hurt.”

The advisory committee system was established in 1974 by Congress to help ensure the voice of the private-sector was heard when establishing U.S. ag trade policies.