State Legislature

Minnesota Senate passes Farmer-Lender Mediation extension

The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill that would extend the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act.

Minnesota Farmers Union director of government relations Thom Petersen says the program is scheduled to sunset July first.

“It’s really important this year with farm income in Minnesota being at a 20 year low.  Several thousand farmers use it every year (and) there has been a spike this year.  It will be an important tool for farmers to help them keep farming this year.”

He tells Brownfield the Act is being scrutinized by the Bankers Association.

“They’d like to study the program (which has been around for 30 years).  And the Minnesota Farmers Union has agreed to look at it in the interim; see if there are any updates or changes that need to be made to the law.”

Petersen says the extension would be for two years, and expects the House to pick up the bill sometime this week.