Smith describes how high costs, tight margins raise the stakes for farm bill

Smith describes how high costs, tight margins raise the stakes for farm bill

KASSON, Minn. — With Minnesota farmers facing tight margins, rising input costs and uncertainty over federal support, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said completing a long-delayed farm bill remains one of her top priorities before leaving office next year. On a hot day in late May, Smith stood in the front yard of the farm owned by Dodge County farmer and retired Mayo Clinic technologist Jim Checkel, who explained to her his career philosophy after giving…