To the Editor:
As a lifelong farmer and former long-term officer on the local corn, soybean and Farm Bureau boards, I believe one of the actions most needed by Congress to turn around our farm economy is getting the United States/Canada/Mexico trade agreement ratified. This agreement would be a big boost to Martin County, allowing exports greater and more efficient market access.
This trade deal was completed on Aug. 27, 2018; agreed to by all three countries on Nov. 30, 2018, subject to ratification by all three governments. On March 1, 2019, every major agricultural organization came out in favor of passing it quickly to help the struggling rural economy.
Did you know Mexico is No. 1 and Canada is No. 5 worldwide in both corn and pork imports from our country? What makes our Martin County economy prosper? Profits in pork, as the No. 1 pork-producing county in Minnesota and in the top 10 in the United States. Martin County also gains income from corn, with two large ethanol plants helping us get full-use value out of every bushel raised locally.