While the devastation from avian flu has dominated headlines this year, it's only the latest disease affecting animal agriculture in the Upper Midwest. In the previous two years, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) killed 8 million hogs and piglets, KSTP reported in January.
The waves of disease have highlighted the importance of research and funding for agriculture, basic tools that have--like so many other areas--suffered as budget axes swung.
Fortunately, a suburban Minnesota Democrat (who is actively engaged in his farm near Harmony) has stepped up to the plate, drafting a resolution adopted by the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Government's recent meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota. Hansen also presented an overview of "Minnesota's Buffer Program" to the assembled legislators; he serves on the group's Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
Here's the resolution:
Photo: Sick and dying turkeys. The pandemic cost Minnesota's economic $650 million, and hit farmers, workers and communities with an emotional gut punch.
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