Walz Hosts 2nd Annual Conservation Potluck, Promotes Boosting Economy, Preserving Natural State Treasures
This year Walz took part in a short bike ride with students and outdoor enthusiasts prior to the potluck
Winona, MN [8/18/14]—Today, Representative Tim Walz—Ranking Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry—hosted the second annual Walz Conservation Potluck lunch with conservation leaders on the banks of the Mississippi in Winona. Prior to the potluck, Walz took part in a short bike ride with students and outdoor enthusiasts.
Rep. Walz convened this year’s potluck as a fun, informal way for conservation, hunting, and outdoor enthusiasts to discuss coalition building and preserving our natural state treasures, which are enjoyed year round in Minnesota and add billions of dollars to our economy every year.
"This is about having a vision for our future; to conserve our natural state treasures and the billions of dollars the outdoor industry provides to our economy, while at the same time positioning ourselves to lead the world in energy and food production and create good paying jobs,” Representative Walz said. “I believe we shouldn’t be presented with the false choice of good conservation policy or a good economy. Minnesota is proving that we can do both. Moving forward, I will continue to fight to protect our natural state treasures we’ve all come to enjoy. Doing so will ensure that we’re able to feed the world and enjoy the outdoors for both recreation and to make a living off of for generations to come.”
“We are thrilled to have Representative Walz visit with us today,” said President of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters Todd Paddock. “He has been a true leader on conservation efforts, not only for southeastern Minnesota, but for our entire region.”
Walz—a leading voice in Congress on conservation, agriculture, and energy policy—served on the bipartisan, bicameral Farm Bill Conference Committee that worked out a final compromise on the new, long-term Farm Bill that conservation groups praised as a win for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiast. He’s also recently introduced comprehensive legislation that takes an all-of-the-above approach to energy. His bill would allow us to take control of our energy future and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, while at the same time investing in rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and creating good paying, clean-energy jobs here in Minnesota.
The long-term Farm Bill worked on by Rep. Walz, the highest ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, works to:
- Expand sodsaver protection to six states including MT, ND, SD, MN, IA and NE. This protects critical wildlife and hunting habitats
- Tie crop insurance premiums to conservation compliance practices
- Provide mandatory funding for renewable energy programs, helping small businesses and farmers become energy independent and cut input and overhead costs
- Extend the popular Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which has helped the hunting industry and wildlife flourish, most notably for pheasants and ducks.
Note:
Rep. Walz served his award winning “Turkey Trot Tater Tot” Hotdish at the potluck. For the recipe, please click: http://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=hot_topic&id=2738
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