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Minnesota ag leaders tout importance of connecting consumers to producers

Ag leaders in Minnesota are emphasizing the importance of connecting consumers to producers.

Farm Bureau president Kevin Paap and Farmers Union vice president Gary Wertish attended a Farm to School event at Glen Lake elementary school in Hopkins Tuesday.

The district buys local food from Riverbend Farm of Delano.

Paap says anytime food and agriculture are tied together, it’s a good thing.

“If it’s a program like this, we’re using food directly from a local farm is great.  But just tying in food…that’s what agriculture is.  It’s not so much about farming, it’s about farms and the food that they raise, and helping build that connection back to agriculture.”

Wertish tells Brownfield generations are getting further removed from the farm.

“At one time, everybody had a direct connection to the farm and we’re getting generations removed from that.  So it’s very important to educate these students at a young age (about) where their food is coming from.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, approximately 1,300 schools in the state participate in the Farm to School program.