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Walz Joins Harris as VP Pick with focus on Ag policies

Aug 12, 2024
By Farms.com

VP candidate Walz scrutinized for his stance on ethanol

 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate has brought his agricultural policies into the national spotlight.

Walz, with a background rooted in Minnesota’s rural landscapes, has long been a proponent of policies that support agriculture and renewable fuels. His legislative work, notably the SOIL Stewardship Act, focused on improving soil health and enhancing carbon sequestration, reflecting a commitment to climate mitigation.

Throughout his career, Walz has navigated the complexities of agricultural consolidation and environmental impacts, advocating for measures that support small and beginning farmers. His efforts to facilitate access to resources for these farmers have been integral to his policy agenda, aiming to sustain rural communities and promote sustainable practices.

However, Walz’s endorsement of ethanol, a key economic driver in Minnesota but controversial among environmental groups, illustrates the delicate balance he maintains in supporting both agricultural interests and environmental sustainability. His stance on ethanol has aligned him with many Midwestern politicians, transcending party lines, yet it remains a point of contention as climate concerns grow.

As he steps into the role of VP candidate, Walz’s agricultural and environmental record will be a focal point, highlighting his pragmatic approach to navigating the interests of rural America and the pressing needs of climate advocacy.


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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Dickinson College Farm to see the innovative biodigester project, which is turning farm and food waste into green energy. Food waste and manure are fed into the anerobic digester creating biogas, which can be used for cooking, heating and generating electricity. Dickinson College Farm's energy & livestock manager Matt Steiman says the new digester will process the manure from the neighbor’s 150 dairy cows plus two tons of food waste every day. The project will generate enough renewable energy to power the farm and will export additional energy to power 30 homes. The project will also reduce water pollution to local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.