Photo of Fritz Busch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz makes a point in his opening address at Farmfest on Wednesday.

fbusch@nujounral.com

GILFILLAN ESTATE – In a Farmfest opening speech on Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged people not to let their pandemic anger tear families and communities apart.

“It cannot divide us. Get vaccinated so you can vote against me if you wish â€, Walz said. “A lot of people are really angry this year. No one hates wearing face masks more than I do. It was difficult, difficult. I want to thank some of you for calling me and letting me know if I was wrong.

Walz said it’s things like plane wrecks that make the news, rather than the stories of things that went well.

“We have hospital workers who work double shifts for a full year. There were family businesses that sacrificed themselves to protect others and were not compensated as they thought. This caused great anguish among the people â€, Walz said. “I can tell you this over and over again, in the worst of times, people’s spirits have risen, helping a family member, neighbor or friend.”

Walz said he visited Clinton, where an elevator burned down, and there were pictures of large flames in the newspaper and the nursing home was evacuated.

“They have to go back to tell the other story. Nineteen rural fire departments responded to this fire â€, Walz said. “Businesses in the region have intensified. The grocery store opened and gave everything to the firefighters. A gas station filled people’s gas tanks without recharging them.

Congresswoman Angie Craig and other panelists discussed how the expansion of ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels fits into the Clean EnergyPlan and the opportunities and limitations of wind power , solar and electric.

“Corn ethanol and biodiesel must be available across the country today. These are the bills I’m working on â€, Craig said.

State Senator Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls said there are ways to work together at all levels.

“We are now at the crossroads of energy paths”, said Dahms. “Minnesota has passed California Clean Car rules requiring an end to combustible fuel by 2035. If we do that, we’ll have to find a way to get rid of biofuels like biodiesel. Let’s work on a common sense energy policy.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association board member Bob Worth of Worthington called biodiesel “Clean and better” than fossil fuels.

“We need all of the above energy strategies and include family farms in the discussionâ€, Craig said.

Dahms said the shift to electric cars was going “Much faster than what the market is ready for” because more charging stations and cost-based analyzes are needed.

“Don’t get all of your information from Facebook. I don’t think it’s a good source â€, said Worth. “Why don’t we go further with biodiesel. It replenishes itself every year, not once every million years like fossil fuels. “

Minnesota Corn Growers Association president Tim Waibel said he spent $ 8,000 a month last winter to heat one of his barns with natural gas instead of the usual $ 2,500 for a month of winter heating.

“The (price) spikes are killing us. We must get rid of the exploitation of little people â€, Waibel said.

Albert Robertson described himself as an inventor and said that solid state batteries can be charged with magnets, copper, and hemp graphene.

“We have the technology to drive an electric car from coast to coast without recharging it. How can you help me bring it to market? “ said Robertson.

Minnesota Trade Commissioner Grace Arnold suggested low-interest loans for the Small Business Association.

Arnold suggested producers check their eligibility for premium tax credits, refundable credits that help individuals and families cover health insurance premiums purchased in the health insurance market.

A rural farmer in St. Cloud complained that rural electricity was cut to irrigators during peak usage.

Arnold said the state of Minnesota has little authority over rural electricity.

“If you don’t move with the bar, you will fall off it” Waibel said, referring to the rapidly changing US energy system.

Craig said there are many political talking points that are meant to divide us.

“There are a lot more things we agree on than we disagree with. “ Craig said. “Biofuels can show the way to solve this problem. “

The University of Minnesota’s Farm Family of the Year program begins at 1:15 p.m. today at Farmfest.