Lawmakers from across Minnesota return to St. Paul on Feb. 17, 2026, to gavel in the 2026 legislative session. As the voice representing the state’s nearly 26,000 soybean producers, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) has its sights set on not just earning wins this year but building policy groundwork for success in future sessions. 

“There are so many factors in play as we prepare for this session,” MSGA President Darin Johnson said. “We have a divided government with a huge election later in 2026 — that’s the reality we’re facing. It’s hard to hit home runs in this kind of environment, but we’re certainly going to take our swings.” 

This year’s session offers a dizzying array of dynamics, assuring another unique season at the Capitol. Democrats cling to a thin, one-seat majority in the Senate, and all 67 members of the chamber will be on the ballot this November. In the tied House, all 134 seats are also up for election. In addition, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth has announced her gubernatorial bid, while GOP Rep. Kristin Robbins, who visited MSGA Vice President Ryan Mackenthun’s farm last fall, is also a gubernatorial candidate in a crowded field. On the Democratic side, Gov. Tim Walz dropped out of the race after initially intending to run for a third term. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who’s currently the ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Ag Committee, announced her run just days after speaking with MSGA leaders at MN Ag Expo. No other Democrats are expected to challenge Sen. Klobuchar in the primary.  

Combine those elements with a heavy dose of economic uncertainty at the federal level, and headlines around fraud and immigration enforcement, and — although the environment can change on a dime — neither party in St. Paul is expected to be in the mood for bipartisan harmony, given the high election stakes in November. 

For agriculture, which typically sees more bipartisan cooperation, that presents a mixed bag.  

“It’s going to be one of those sessions where it’s going to be very difficult to pass anything that’s remotely controversial,” MSGA lobbyist Cory Bennett said. “We’re being pragmatic about putting forth a legislative session that is successful.” 

For over 60 years, MSGA has earned its stripes as a nonpartisan organization that takes pride in working with legislators of all political persuasions. That mission serves well in a split government, and MSGA will rely on the relationships it’s built with GOP and DFL leaders to build bridges toward success in 2026 and beyond. 

“Our beans aren’t red or blue; we work on behalf of all soybean farmers,” Johnson said. “If there are policies out there that benefit our farmers, we want to roll up our sleeves and work to make that happen.” 

On the docket 

The session arrives after lawmakers in 2025 passed a $66 billion biennial budget that significantly cut a projected $6 billion deficit for future years, but punted debates over health care, taxation and economic policy. In 2026, during the second year of the biennium, lawmakers will focus on passing supplemental legislation. 

Legislative progress often doesn’t happen overnight; it can occur in increments over several years. The 2026 session could be centered around playing the long game and defending against legislation that would further damage an already battered farm economy. 

“Success is measured in different ways,” Bennett said. “Sometimes, good pieces of legislation take more than one year to get across the finish line. So, you’re constantly working towards that, and we’re going to work to make sure bills that add further constraints aren’t enacted.” 

On top of defending against workplace mandates and bills restricting farmers’ ability to operate, MSGA is prepared to promote bills that fuel growth in agriculture, including: 

• Protecting crop inputs
• Higher blends of biofuels
• Property tax relief
• Rural infrastructure through a bonding bill
• Market development
• Increasing trade via the Port of Duluth
• Promoting the next generation of farmers
• Rural health care

“We’re always going to be interested in biofuels,” MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek said. “How do we stay involved in different types of discussions with regards to sustainable aviation fuel investment in biofuels? We’re always going to look at that. I think that this year is going to be a good year to look at rural investments and different bonding projects. … Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about the soybean prices.” 

Even if legislation supported by MSGA doesn’t reach the governor’s desk, Johnson hopes those policies will carry into future sessions. 

“It’s perfectly natural to get a little impatient at times, when progress isn’t happening as quickly as we liked,” he said. “But I think we all recognize that we need to look years down the road and look at some wins we can achieve in future sessions.” 

MSGA will also protect its interests via the regulatory sector. The eight-year process of updating the Public Waters Inventory has begun, and MSGA is keeping close tabs on the process as informational meetings on the updates continue this year across Minnesota. 

“That’s going to be a big issue for us to look at this year, and we encourage our farmers to attend these meetings and voice their opinions,” Johnson said. 

Prior to the session, MSGA held its annual meeting in January 2026 at MN Ag Expo. During the gathering, delegates from across 40 counties debated and approved MSGA’s 2026 policy resolutions, which will serve as a legislative guidebook for the year ahead.  

 Delegates approved resolutions related to:   

• Higher Yields  
• Research 
• Animal Agriculture 
• Biodiesel  
• Right to Farm – Water Quality 
• Expanded Soybean Uses 
• National Issues  

Delegates also reviewed and passed over a dozen new resolutions, including supporting Minnesota Department of Agriculture international trade offices; pesticide regulations; soy-based firefighting foam; andcrop production retailers; protecting crop inputs; promoting sustainable aviation fuel; and more.   

“We had a very engaged resolution session, with a lot of good dialogue and discussion, which is what the process is all about,” Johnson said.  

Farmers and industry partners are encouraged to stay up to date on MSGA’s advocacy efforts by joining MSGA. Members earn exclusive updates from MSGA’s lobbying team via a weekly e-newsletter and weekly legislative update via Zoom, which is held every Friday morning during the session. 

While MSGA’s lobbying team will have a strong presence at the Capitol throughout the session, which runs through May 19, farmer leaders are holding their annual Legislative Reception and Hill Visits March 10-11 in St. Paul. Directors from across the state will gather at the Capitol to discuss MSGA priorities with lawmakers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Gov. Tim Walz.  

“We’re going to do everything we can in St. Paul to make sure our voice is heard and we’re pointed in the right direction,” Johnson said.