If you take a look around as you drive through Minnesota’s 1st district, you’ll notice a trend: rolling hills and pristine green fields. Many of these southern Minnesota fields are filled with corn, much of which is destined for bioethanol production. This region’s rich agriculture not only shapes its geography but the livelihoods of those who live here.
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It’s hard to overstate the importance of agriculture and the biofuels industry to MN-1. And with corn prices currently near or below the cost of production, it’s more important than ever that we have champions in Washington, D.C. that are willing to fight for policies that strengthen rural economies.
Representative Brad Finstad, R (MN-01), is a fourth-generation farmer from New Ulm, MN. He knows what it takes to succeed on the farm and how important positive legislation is to farming families and rural communities. During his time as a congressman, he has steadfastly advocated for nationwide access for year-round E15. Rep. Finstad has also supported and fought for the timely implementation of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Even in the face of pressure from the leadership of his own party, he has stood his ground, unwavering, in support of policies that will yield new demand, higher value for corn, and jobs for rural communities throughout southern Minnesota.
In an interview for a previous issue of Vital, Rep. Finstad was asked why the biofuels industry is important to him, MN-01, and Minnesota in general. He said, “In southern Minnesota, I have the honor of representing 21 counties; primarily very strong agriculture producing counties. As a corn and soybean farmer myself, the more market opportunities that I have and my neighbors have, the better we all are. I believe that one of the most important parts of the biofuels industry right now is how it plays into our national security. It really comes down to who do we trust to provide our energy resources? And I’m going to bet on the American farmer, my neighbor, and my family to produce that energy any day over someone who doesn’t like us. So, for me, I think that it comes down to homegrown energy from people that we can trust. There are so many opportunities not just from a market diversification standpoint but also from a farmer's perspective. There’s also job-creating, energy-producing, economic opportunities for rural America.”
POET Bioprocessing – Preston, Minn., is proud to recognize Rep. Brad Finstad as our 2024 Biofuels Champion of the Year. It’s not always easy to find members of Congress who are willing to stand up to Washington’s politics-as-usual approach. But throughout his time in office, Congressman Finstad has proven over and over again that he has what it takes to stand for the folks he represents. And at POET Bioprocessing - Preston, we know, it takes a farmer.
