Wisconsin will be among the seven states that will make up the new Midwest Council on Agriculture, which is a coalition of farm industry leaders brought together by former Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson. The group aims to discuss policy and influence legislation, including the upcoming farm bill.
Peterson, a longtime former chairman of the House Ag Committee, held the first meeting of the council earlier this week near his home town of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. About 80 people attended the forum.
"There just aren't enough people anymore in Congress who know anything about agriculture," Peterson said. "You've got to have a broader coalition."
He adds that the group is modeled after a similar organization in the southwestern U.S. that has been around for about 20 years.
The Midwest Council on Agriculture will also include representatives from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Categories: Wisconsin, General