The Farmfest Virtual 2020 online educational forums kicked off yesterday with a Minnesota Senate candidate debate between Incumbent Democrat Senator Tina Smith and Republican Jason Lewis. They talked about a host of ag issues including how to fix the high cost of health care for farmers. Lewis says Congress first needs to work on reforming health care.

Smith says she has been working in the Senate on many provisions to help rural families get health care and drug costs down.

The candidates were also asked about what they would do in the Senate to advance new trade agreements. Lewis says the China a deal still needs some work before other new deals are struck.

Smith says trade is important, accounting for $7 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. She says Congress needs to build on the success of USMCA in further negotiating the terms of the China deal.

The virtual forums continue for the next two days in lieu of Farmfest being cancelled this year due to the pandemic.