Rod Hamilton, member of the Minnesota House and a farmer, wrote an op-ed piece "Please, a little more understanding for farmers: Their stake in our resources is deeply personal", Star Tribune, 2012-06-09. He writes that certain groups are targeting farmers for cleanup of river sludge. He claims that farmers are stewards of the land and need to protect their land for generations.
First, are all farmers that careful stewards of their land? Probably most of those he knows, but there probably will be a few who cut corners.
Second, what about corporate farms? How many are there in Minnesota? Technically, none. This claim was made in "Tara and Nick Meyer provide a glimpse of life as young Minnesota farmers", Audra Otto, MinnPost, 2011-12-16. Tara Meyer stated, "Corporate farms only exist in the eyes of the media. There are no corporate farms in Minnesota – this a huge misconception." She provided a link to Minnesota's "Corporate Farm Law".
Well, few laws are so straight-forward, and some special interests always manage to protect their interests. This law is no exception in that it has several exceptions. These include poultry and feedlots, general and limited liability partnerships (really a corporation), and land for sod. Do you think all such entities are going to have the same stewardship ideas as Rep. Hamilton?
Then there is the granddaddy of loopholes - "entities that do not meet any of the above criteria may apply to the commissioner of agriculture for a special exemption." And we've always had Minnesota governors who hold the public interest higher than corporate interest, right? Wisconsin is now "Open for Business"; will Minnesota be far behind?
