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, 7 is countercyclical—one that companies in here farming the pays more when market prices land.But we also don't need to are low and less when they are have such tight regulations high—makes more sense.He that compliance is too tough. also thinks the notion that gov- That's exactly what keeps the ernment will get out of agricul- small farmers out of business." ture entirely at the end of the Many also have expressed seven-year transition peritxl is concern alwut local ordinances far-fetched. that restrict the growth of pro- As Runge's colleague James duction agriculture,particular- Houck,chairman of the Ap- Iy livestock,because of the plied Economics Department odor and waste issues raised in the College of Agriculture by such production. At the at the University of Minneso- same time,Hugoson thinks ta,points nut,the seven-year stringent slate-level environ- time frame gives lawmakers mental requirements give Min- plenty of time to change their nesota farmers an advantage. minds about the direction of "Minnesota has been very ag- farm policy."What's really un- gressive,early on,environ- certain is whether a future mentally,"he says."Our slan- Congress will step in to undo dards are higher than other the decision made by this Con- states,but that allows us to gress to get government out of survive the expansion of feder- agriculture,"he says. al standards.When we have Despite disagreeing with the people in compliance with a policy change.Runge believes state standard,they can count the transition-period payment on that standard being in place scheme will generate a wind- for the long-term and they fall for Minnesota farmers in won't have to build new sys- the next seven years. tems to comply as the federal Feelings about state and lo- government raises its stan- cal policies are not so positive. dards.Other states will." • "Public policy is probably the Despite concerns about the one thing that could kill agri- policy matters,decided enthu- cullure in Minnesota,"says siasm alxnl the future of agri- Agriculture 2010 cofounder culture prevails.Melberg says, Mertens. "If people ask me whether I'm "Our goal is to increase pub- encouraging my kids to go into lic awareness of production farming,I say,'Yes.In what agriculture,"he says of the other business do your cus- movement."As they under- tomers come back three times stand more about production a day?"' agriculture,they'll have a bet- And as Don Handahl,a vice ter perception of it,and we'll president at Jennie-O,ob- get better public policy,"a rcf- serves,"We have been build- erence to concerns shared by ing for years here,"describing many in the agriculture com- Minnesota's agriculture sector. munity about environmental "It's like a freight train—it's and corporate-farming laws going to take a lot to slow it that could limit the future down.It's rolling."■ growth of the industry. "There are laws against cor- Kate Peterson works in public porate farming in Minnesota, affairs for the Rowland Com- and that's good," Mertens party in St.Patti and lives in says."We don't need the big Duluth. TWIN CITIES BUSINESS MONTHLY OCTOBER 1996 39 ti •