Commissioner: End of embargo would be positive for farmers

Published 9:57 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson discusses his experience in agriculture and the trade embargo between the U.S. and Cuba Tuesday afternoon. – Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

The ending of the trade embargo between the United States and Cuba would be good for Minnesota farmers, the Minnesota commissioner of agriculture said Tuesday afternoon.

Dave Frederickson made the statement at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon and Farm Family of the Year recognition ceremony at the Fairlane Building.

Frederickson said removing the embargo would expand export opportunities for United States ag producers, including local farmers, and added that exporting more resources would help the U.S. ag production surplus.

Dozens of people attended the 11th annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon and Farm Family of the Year recognition ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Fairlane Building. – Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

He said the embargo has run its course, and he believes the younger generation is ready to restore trade relations.

President Barack Obama has softened U.S. relations with Cuba and became the first sitting president in nearly 90 years to visit the country.

Frederickson said the embargo could end this year or in 2017, depending on the results of November’s election.

He mentioned his visit to Cuba in December and his memory of the Cuban Missile Crisis as a child. He praised 6th District U.S. Rep.Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., for their efforts to end the embargo.

Frederickson described his time in the state Legislature as a senator in the late ’80s and early ’90s and his effort to preserve funding for county fairs.

As senator, he represented Swift, Yellow Medicine, Lac Qui Parle, Chippewa and Redwood counties, and served on committees for agriculture and rural development, education, government operations, taxes and tax laws, and local and urban government.

He said he is struck by the resilience of Minnesota farmers, particularly from an avian influenza outbreak last year to a downturn in commodity markets.

Frederickson served as president of the Minnesota Farmers Union from 1991 to 2002 and was president of the National Farmers Union from 2002 to 2006. In both organizations, he worked on federal farm policy and other issues.

He was the agricultural outreach director for Klobuchar from 2007 to 2010.

Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Frederickson to commissioner in January 2011.

Retired farmer Al Brown said he enjoyed Frederickson’s discussion and agreed that ending the embargo would allow the U.S. to help Cubans where they need it.

Chuck Schwartau, campus regional director of the University of Minnesota Extension-Rochester office, presents Doug and Stacy Steele with the 2016 Farm Family of the Year award. – Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Prior to Frederickson’s presentation, Doug and Stacy Steele were awarded the 2016 Farm Family of the Year.