Agriculture & Nutrition

Minnesota has a strong tradition of family farmers who help provide the nutritious foods that are fundamental to the success of healthy communities. In recent decades, we have also seen the development of urban agriculture in our Twin Cities.
As a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I'm committed to ensuring agriculture programs are sufficiently funded. I strongly support nutrition assistance programs like the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and farmers’ markets programs that increase access to healthy and locally-grown foods. We must ensure that our family farmers have the resources they need and that all Minnesotans are able to provide nutritious foods for their families.
More on Agriculture & Nutrition
For Immediate Release: October 19, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman McCollum Decries Farm Bill’s Harsh Cuts to Nutrition Programs
2 to 3 million low-income Americans will have food assistance eliminated
Congresswoman McCollum, Mayor Chris Coleman, BrightFarms, Inc., and J&J Distributing Welcome a New Greenhouse in St. Paul
CONTACT: Rep. Betty McCollum - Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 or Maria.Reppas@mail.house.gov
Bill makes it easier for homebound seniors to purchase food and medicines
For Immediate Release: January 24, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Tonight, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following response to President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly oppose H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act. Regrettably, the House Republican majority is choosing to waste precious floor time debating this political statement instead of allowing a vote on President Obama's American Jobs Act.
Contrary to the claims of my Republican colleagues, H.R. 1633 has nothing to do with job creation or economic growth. This legislation addresses a nonexistent issue since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated repeatedly it has no intention of regulating "farm dust."
I rise today in support of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act 2012 (H.R. 2112). This legislation combines three fiscal year 2012 appropriations measures: Agriculture; Commerce-Justice-Science; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. H.R. 2112 also includes a short-term continuing resolution that will fund the remainder of the federal government through December 16.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
St. Paul, MN – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement as the head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi announced a new U.S. commitment to famine relief at a University of Minnesota forum.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly object to the Republican majority's mean-spirited $650 million cut to vulnerable women, infants and children. The Republican's Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations legislation, H.R. 2112, chooses to make this drastic reduction to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program at a time of economic crisis for millions of American families. WIC is a proven strategy to guarantee that lower-income expectant and breastfeeding mothers and their children up to five years of age receive nutritious food.