Bringing their voices to St. Paul, eight farmer directors from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) traveled March 10-11 to the Capitol meet with legislators and discuss issues that are important to soybean farmers across the state. 

From biofuels to protecting crop inputs, there were plenty of farm-related policies to discuss with legislative leaders and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  

“Our agenda for the day was very busy,” MSGA President Darin Johnson said. “The fantastic thing about today is that we met with both sides of the aisle equally. It is always beneficial to have a discussion with both sides to hear opinions and to assure them that we are able to assist them if there is any need to work across the aisle, we can be that conjugate for them.” 

The majority of conversations with legislators focused on crop protection tools available to farmers including seed treatments, as well as conversations surrounding sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and the biofuels market.  

MSGA leaders visit with Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen during a policy meeting at the Capitol on March 11, 2026.

“Our goal is not to ask for dollars,” MSGA Director Brad Hovel said. “Our goal is to educate legislators about what soybean farmers are facing today and leave them with resources they can refer back to after our conversations.” 

With several directors attending federal Hill Visits in Washington, D.C., MSGA focused on a “more with less” approach by having fewer directors attend than in past years. Concentrating on meaningful conversations and telling farmer experiences opened the eyes of many legislators.   

“This was a good opportunity for us to meet one-on-one or six or seven-on-one,” said Johnson. “We were in an environment today where everyone was very comfortable and there was a lot of good and easy conversations.” 

Directors emphasized that building relationships with lawmakers is one of the most important parts of the annual visit. To support this, directors, along with MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek attended a joint Legislative Reception with the Minnesota Corn Growers prior to the Hill Visits. Many legislators attended the reception, creating connections with MSGA directors, including Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Paul Anderson and Rep. Rick Hansen, along with Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee Chair Senator Aric Putnam. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Peterson also attended.  

The visit ended by attending the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee hearing at 1 p.m., where Johnson gave testimony opposing the HF3704 bill proposed by Rep. Kristi Pursell. To watch Johnson’s testimony at the 21:54 mark, use this link.  

HF3704, if passed, seeks to ban paraquat herbicide and add constraints to neonicotinoid insecticides and seed treatments. MSGA, along with other farm groups, is staunchly opposed to these regulations. 

Despite the smaller delegation, the directors agreed the trip was a success. With a focus on education, relationship building and sharing real stories from farmer experiences, MSGA continues to ensure soybean farmers have a voice in policy discussions at the Capitol.