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    our lives. With the stagnant farm economy, food deserts,     to make inroads into empowering the lives of those
           and mobile grocery stores that have popped up in the         emerging farmers whose voices have been traditionally
           aftermath of George Floyd’s death, it’s more important than   unheard in Minnesota. Just as there is diversity of
           ever to focus the MDA’s agency-wide outreach activities to   business types within a strong agriculture ecosystem,
           farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders who can benefit from our   we’re all best served and represented by cultural, racial
           programs and services.                                       and ethnic diversity in our farming communities.
              Too often at the MDA we hear, “I didn’t know you had a
           program that could help me.” Unfortunately, that message often   Starting a Conversation
           comes from underserved communities. It is important that we
           listen to our stakeholders and act to address disparities when
           we hear about or see them. It is imperative we foster cultural   I didn’t grow up dreaming of a future in agriculture.
           understanding and minimize distrust of government agencies.   If it hadn’t been for that conversation with my mom
              To that end, the MDA has been working on bolstering our   many years ago, I don’t know if I ever would have
           partnerships with organizations that represent underserved   ventured down this path. It’s hard to aspire to be in
           communities. MDA Commissioner, Thom Petersen, asked          agriculture if you’ve never seen anyone who looks like
           me to form an Emerging Farmer Working Group to ensure        you in the profession.
           we are reaching ethnic and racial minorities, women, and        Before COVID-19, I was able to visit a lot of
           LBGTQ+ farmers, ranchers and landowners/operators, as        schools across our beautiful state. Along the way, I
           well as new or beginning farmers and ranchers including      met kids who knew exactly where they were going in
           youth and veterans.                                          life, as well as those without goals and dreams for their
              In the fall of 2019, the Working Group held listening     future. Many didn’t see agriculture as a viable career
           sessions across the state and invited emerging farmers and their   choice because they had a limited view of what it is.
           advocates to attend. The goal of these sessions was to identify   When I talked with them, we discussed agriculture
           the needs of emerging farmers and the barriers keeping them   being more than just farming. I stressed, especially
           from entering agriculture. This information was compiled into   with kids of color, that there is so much more to it
           a report with recommendations for the legislature to act on.   than farmers in overalls. By starting conversations
           The goals from the listening sessions became a list of strategies   like these and knocking down barriers for emerging
           that will advance the success and sustainability of farmers   farmers today, we can and will create a future in which
           who traditionally face barriers to the education and resources   all kids can envision themselves.
           necessary to build profitable agricultural businesses. In May
           2020, the Emerging Farmers Working Group was signed into     Patrice Bailey is the first Assistant Commissioner of  color in
           law, and now the “real” work begins.                         Minnesota Department of  Agriculture history. His groundbreaking
              Since the creation of the Working Group, we have          report on the Emerging Farmers Working Group won the 2020
           begun the membership application process. We are currently   Notable Document Award in the category of  agriculture from the
           finalizing foundational components of the Working Group      National Conference of  State Legislatures. Prior to this appointment,
           to make sure the process of applying is available to all     Patrice served the Twin Cities in positions that focused on bridging
           without barriers (see mda.state.mn.us/emerging-farmers-      underrepresented communities of  color to available resources, as well
           working-group-seeks-members). Together, we will continue     as advocating for them legislatively at the Capitol.

                     “Minnesota agriculture is made stronger by our diversity. I’m excited to see farmers from every

                  community engage in an industry that is foundational to our state’s culture and economy....As we
                   build the agricultural industry of  the future, it’s critical that all voices and ideas are at the table,

                         and I commend the Minnesota Department of  Agriculture for starting this conversation.”
                                                                                    —Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

                                                                                                 FARM ROAD continued on page 8
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