Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad (R-Dist. 1) was in Luverne Wednesday for discussion about soil health as it relates to the federal Farm Bill and legislation to boost renewable fuels.
"I was impressed by the locally led effort of farmers trying to improve their land using sound practices and science,” Finstad said after the meeting.
“Their acknowledgement of what works on one farm might not work on the next, but learning from each other will help them all be the best caretakers of the land."
The event was hosted by Feikema Farms and the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), with the Rev. Tim Olsen, Luverne, moderating discussion.
“It might seem strange to hear about an evangelical Christian organization that cares about agriculture and soil health,” said Olsen, Upper Midwest Coordinator for EEN, a 30-year-old Washington DC-based non-profit.
“But we have a Biblical mandate to care for creation and work toward a stabile climate and healthy pollution-free world.”
He said the organization spends time educating and advocating for policies that support Biblical mandates, and he said Finstad was invited Wednesday to hear about conservation measures in the Farm Bill and soil health policies that could make a difference.
“Scripture began in the garden. The first occupation was farming. Agriculture is a noble calling,” Olsen said in his opening prayer to start the lunch meeting.
“Give us the wisdom and insight to care deeply for the land that you have given us to care for … so that we might truly have a legacy to pass on to our children and grandchildren to feed an ever hungry world.”
Wednesday’s gathering was originally planned at Feikema Farms northwest of Luverne, but rainy weather moved it to the library.
Sean and Becky Feikema shared an excerpt of their documentary film, “From the Heartland,” and spoke about sustainable agriculture practices that they’ve put into effect over the past 10 years.
They said the practices — strip till and no-till planting, cover crops and integrated animal agriculture — have increased profitability and protected against soil loss, especially during recent flooding in June.
New market opportunities
Kent Hartwig of Gevo Biofuels discussed new market opportunities created by low-carbon innovations and quantifying “carbon intensity scores.”
Biofuel plants now are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints with renewable power, carbon sequestration or changes such as using different enzymes in their processes.
The USDA is indicating that corn and soybean farming practices also will count toward the carbon intensity scores “45Z tax credit.”
Those practices are no-till, cover crops and split-application nitrogen.
Biofuel plants would offer a premium — up to $1.50 per bushel — for farmers who reduce carbon intensity through these documented practices.
Legislative implications
The roundtable discussion that followed addressed how sustainable agriculture innovations can advance farm profitability, food security, soil heath and economic security.
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit and the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit both offer avenues to increase both farm revenue and biofuel profitability while reducing carbon footprints.
Some discussion centered on the Farm Bill, which provides incentive-based programs that help farmers address climate change while conserving their land
The Farm Bill provides $6 billion annually for conservation, from incentivizing agricultural practices to facilitating permanent conservation through easements.
Congress renews the Farm Bill every five years, and in November 2023 legislators voted to extend the 2018 Farm Bill for one year, until Sept. 30, 2024.
