Last week more than 100 Land Stewardship Project members outlined their priorities for the next farm bill at a listening session with Congressman Tim Walz in Utica, Minnesota. LSP Federal Policy Organizer Ben Anderson says they got assurances from Walz that he would help push for incentives for farmers who utilize and improve conservation and soil health practices on their operations.

Farmers attending the session also asked for reform of the risk management program, so it targets assistance to those farmers who need it the most.

Anderson says they would also like to see additional funding in the new farm bill to help beginning farmers and ranchers.

Anderson says his group is planning future farm bill meetings with both Congressman Walz and Collin Peterson in August.