Congressman Tom Emmer Introduces ASPIRE Act to Support Agriculture and Farming

(KNSI) — Minnesota Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer Tuesday introduced the ASPIRE Act to support workforce development in the agriculture and farming sector.

The bill was co-led in the House by Minnesota native and current Maine Representative Chellie Pingree and introduced in the Senate by Minnesota Senator Tina Smith.

Emmer said, “The strength of our nation’s food security rests on the shoulders of the hardworking men and women of our ag community. Unfortunately, this industry faces an aging workforce coupled with endemic labor shortages.”

“We are proud to lead this effort, which will provide hands-on experience and invest existing funds in our next generation of producers,” Emmer concluded.

Specifically, the ASPIRE Act establishes a work-based agriculture training program within the United States Department of Agriculture’s existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to fund participation in apprenticeship and internship programs with local agriculture businesses, according to a press release from Emmer’s office.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Senator Smith. “With food shortages, supply chain snags and a tight labor market around the world, it’s vital we support and grow our farming sector here at home. This legislation will provide work-based training programs to support a new generation of farmers and ranchers in Minnesota and around the country.”

The press release says that between 2020 and 2030, the agriculture sector is only expected to grow two percent lower than the average across other industries. In the Sixth Congressional District, which covers part of central Minnesota, including St. Cloud, approximately 11% of residents are employed in an agriculture-affiliated position.

Additionally, the average age of workers in the ag industry is climbing, and not enough younger workers are filling their shoes. Farmers under 35 now make up only 9% of the ag workforce. In Minnesota, ag industry apprenticeships make up just 1% of the available apprenticeships.

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