Minnesota Farm Bureau

Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a cookout will find that prices at the grocery store closely reflect inflation increases over the last year. An Independence Day cookout will cost $73.82 for 10 guests this year, according to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. This is up $2.90 from last year, which is a 4% increase.

Farm Bureau members are invited to participate in American Farm Bureau’s Summer Cookout Survey of retail food prices commonly used to prepare a cookout meal for 10 people. The survey tracks prices on commonly found foods including ground beef, American cheese, hamburger buns, chicken breasts, pork chops, potatoes, onions, celery, eggs, canned pork & beans, strawberries, lemons, sugar, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

EAGAN, Minn. – The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is pleased to announce that Kaitlyn Taylor has been hired as the Northwest Minnesota Membership & Marketing Specialist. In her role, Taylor will provide leadership, guidance, and support to county boards and volunteers. She will assist counties in planning and executing membership and outreach efforts while serving as the liaison between the counties and the state office.

Written by Cass County Member Katie Wiese for AFBF Farm Bureau News; Photo Credit: The Kuschel Family, Used With Permission When Miles and Sarah Kuschel first got involved with the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program, they thought they were simply volunteering their time to support agriculture. What they didn’t realize was that the decision would open doors to new friendships, leadership opportunities and a lifelong network that would shape their future in agriculture.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is excited to welcome three summer interns Colby Brandt, Allison Deplazes, and Montana Martinson to its state office for the summer of 2026. Beginning their internships on May 26, they will support the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s mission of advocating Minnesota agriculture through communications and policy.

The Minnesota Legislature entered the final stretch of session with much of its major work still unresolved, but lawmakers made progress after Governor Walz and legislative leaders announced a broad supplemental budget agreement Wednesday night. The deal includes stabilization funding for Hennepin County Medical Center, property tax relief, temporary vehicle tab fee reductions, fraud-prevention measures, technology upgrades, and a $1.2 billion bonding package.

The Minnesota Legislature spent the week moving several major supplemental budget and policy packages as the session heads into its final stretch. In the House, one of the major bipartisan pieces was the inspector general/fraud prevention bill, which passed 127-5 and would create an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee fraud and misuse in state-administered programs. It now heads to the Senate.

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently selected the next group of agricultural leaders for its 13th Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) class. Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFBF) member Amanda Cook of Chisago County was one of 10 individuals selected to join the class.

Following the third committee deadline last week, legislative activity this week shifted toward floor session in both chambers. Despite many debates and floor votes on bills this week, the path for most bills remains unclear with only three weeks left before adjournment. Typically, by this point the House and Senate establish budget targets which dictate the amount of funding each committee receives. However, this has not occurred yet this year.

Minnesota FFA President Dan Glessing and Membership and Marketing Specialist Dennis Sabel received the Minnesota FFA Honorary State Degree during the first general session of the 97th Minnesota FFA State Convention. The Minnesota FFA Honorary State Degree is bestowed upon individuals who have shown exemplary service towards Minnesota FFA and helping grow young leaders. This year thirty five individuals received this distinguished recognition. “I am humbled to receive the honorary state degree.