GILFILLAN ESTATE - Ag experts addressed a full tent at Farmfest Wednesday for the forum "The Minnesota Ag Industry... Where Are We At and Where Are We Going?"

The moderator was Bob Byrnes, University of Minnesota Regional Extension Director. Keynote address was by Tom Scott, Informa Economics president. Response Panel Members were Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture; Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau president; Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union president; and Brad Finstad, director of Minnesota Rural Police Center.

After addressing the crowd, the panel took questions.

A resident of Adrian asked how farmers could keep their children farming when the kids can work in an ag-related field and make "five or six figures."

"Not only get them back to the farms, but the rural communities," Paap said. They need to make money to support themselves, he said, but they also need to keep the things like broad band communications and the other benefits they can get living and working elsewhere.

"We need policies that allow you to come back," Peterson said. "They need to have profit and continued profit. You have to be able to pay back your loans." He pointed out that the dairy industry is losing farmers.

A man from Worthington said 50 years ago land was feed, fuel and fiber. Now, city people are building houses in the country and want five acres.

Other farm land is going to conservation reserves and other uses.

"We're a bit of a victim of our own success," Scott said. "Productivity continues, we have the ability to do more with slightly less."

"Most people in ag get it, but how do you get urban people to realize the impact of their wants?" Hugoson said. "Recreational areas and highways encroach on ag lands."

State FFA President Kirby Schmidt of Marshall said Minnesota has capitalized on commodities in the state. "Where are we at and where are we going in creating global markets for commodities we have?" he asked.

"Start with the facts," said Finstad. "There's a lot of hungry people in this world. A total of 95 percent of the world's population is outside the United States, so our markets are elsewhere."

"You must tap into that market or someone else will," said Hugoson. "What we're facing is the people's ability to buy our products." He said when we buy Chinese products, they buy more food; and when we buy less of their products, they buy less of ours.

A man from Good Thunder asked for two or three specific ideas to work on this legislative session.

"What we don't need any more of is costly regulations," said Paap. "Are there things we can do without the cost?"

"Biggest thing is don't allow animal genetics to be patented by corporations," Peterson said. "You will be paying tech fees and have no control of where you can sell.

"The cost of health care," Peterson added. "We need to get a handle on that."

"Very tough times," Hugoson said. "From a government standpoint, don't add to the burden. Urban legislators have great ideas, but no concept on how it affects rural folks. Just be careful to look and consider."