Past president of the National Farmers Union, former state senator and current Klobucher aide Dave Frederickson was on the short list created by everyone I asked about potential Commissioners of Agriculture in the Dayton administration.
Today's announcement was no surprise--and neither is the response from farm country and farm groups.
The most conservative, Republican-leaning group, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, issued this statement:
Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) congratulates Dave Frederickson on being appointed by Governor-elect Mark Dayton to serve as the next commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
“Dave Frederickson brings a wealth of experience to the post of Commissioner of Agriculture,” said MFBF President Kevin Paap. “We have seen firsthand Dave’s ability to work with all farmers and the organizations that represent them.”
“In addition to actively running a farm, Mr. Frederickson has been engaged on the local, state, national and international level with farmers, agricultural organizations and elected officials,” said Paap. “His real world experiences will serve him well as he works to fulfill the MDA’s mission of enhancing Minnesotans’ quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment and the strength of our agricultural economy.”
“Dave Frederickson is a well-respected, dedicated advocate for agriculture and the environment,” said Paap. “We look forward to working with him in his new role.”
The DFL-friendly MFU president Doug Peterson writes in a statement:
“Dave is the former Minnesota Farmers Union President and former National Farmers Union President and his knowledge of the day to day challenges that farmers face makes him uniquely qualified as the next Commissioner of Agriculture,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “I look forward to working with Commissioner Frederickson as the Dayton Administration works to improve family farming in Minnesota.”
The most "granola" group, Land Stewardship Project, is also pleased. In an email, LSP policy director Mark Schultz writes:
We’re looking forward to working with Dave Frederickson as Commissioner. Dave understands agriculture as both a farmer and a policymaker. He is a strong supporter of family farms and the stewardship of the land. He can work across the full breadth of agriculture, while emphasizing the positive, growing aspects within it – like expanding markets in local and regional food systems, beginning farmers getting started in Minnesota, increasing growth in organics, and growing interest in sustainable family farm livestock production. We really needed a change in leadership and direction at the Department of Agriculture, so we’re glad to see Mark Dayton select Dave Frederickson for this role.
While farmers and farm groups from across the political spectrum are cheering the appointment of the affable and well-respected Frederickson, the conservtive chorus from the urban trolls in the Star Tribune's comment section illustrate how far so many in the state have come from the farm life. Only someone who has never attended a Minnesota Farmers Union convention or banquet could write these pair of sentences:
He is a politucal [sic] hack. Look for PETA and politics to come to the Ag Department.
Ask us about the year the giant chickens were on the menu.
House Ag committee member Tim Walz released this statement:
“I am extremely pleased with Dave’s appointment and I know he will be an outstanding Commissioner. Dave is a strong advocate for Minnesota farmers. As a fourth generation farmer himself, Dave knows what it will take to keep Minnesota agriculture vibrant and strong. Governor-Elect Dayton made an excellent choice and I look forward to working with Dave on behalf of Minnesota’s agricultural community.”
Photo: Dave Frederickson, far left, gets a thumbs up from my friend Clara during the 2010 MFU auction last month. Photo by Sally Jo Sorensen, Bluestem Prairie.
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