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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

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