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U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and six candidates who want to replace her in November spent an hour on Wednesday fielding questions about farm policy as they sat inside a machine shed on a southern Minnesota farm.

Klobuchar, a Democrat running for a fourth term, trumpeted her support for federal farm policies.

She also touted work she’s done with Republican senators from nearby Iowa and Nebraska to make gasoline with higher blends of corn-based ethanol available.

“Courage is standing next to someone you don’t always agree with for the betterment of this country, and that’s what we need more of in Washington,” Klobuchar said. “That’s what I pledge to you to keep doing as your senator.” 

Farmfest, an agricultural trade show, has become a rite of passage for politicians to talk with rural constituents in farm country. The forum was the last chance for voters to see the U.S. Senate candidates on the same stage before Tuesday’s primary.

Royce White — the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorse candidate — told the crowd several times that he’s been labeled an “extremist.” 

While answering a question about how the federal government should respond to animal pandemics, White pivoted to climate change policies that target methane emissions from livestock. 

“Slowly but surely, your animals and you as well, will be deemed nonessential,” White said. “You need people who aren’t afraid to say that. I’m that candidate, and because of that, they call me an extremist, and I’m proud of it.” 

Joe Fraser, a Republican challenging White in the GOP primary, said the next Farm Bill should support small farms.

The comment came after discussions around concerns about Chinese ownership of America’s farmland.

“We need to make sure that there’s an equitable distribution of support to our farmers, especially small farmers,” Fraser said. “We need to look at generational farming and the challenges they face. We need to look at the impediments to land ownership for new farms, we want to encourage people to get into farming.”

The format of the forum limited candidates to brief responses without the opportunity for interjection or debate. Other candidates on stage were Democrat Steve Carlson, Republican Alycia Gruenhagen, Independent Joyce Lacey and Libertarian Rebecca Whiting.

In May, Republicans gave a first-round endorsement to White at their convention. Fraser, who had said he would honor the endorsement if not selected, later decided to 

White had a fundraising advantage over Fraser going into July with $47,000 cash on hand compared to Fraser’s $17,000. Meanwhile, Klobuchar had more than $6 million on hand in July.

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Election 2024

Clay Masters

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Farmfest, an agricultural trade show, has become a rite of passage for politicians to talk with rural constituents in farm country. The forum was the last chance for voters to see the U.S. Senate candidates on the same stage before Tuesday’s primary.


a group of candidates speak to a crowd from a stage

U.S. Senate candidates give closing arguments at Farmfest ahead of Tuesday’s primary

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