Photo courtesy of Rachel Reisig U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., speaks with Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Carolyn Olson and MFBF member Victoria Praus in Washington, D.C..

It might have seemed a little daunting at first. But a Cottonwood couple said speaking to members of Congress about agriculture earlier this month was an important task.

“When we were talking with (Rep.) Michelle Fischbach, she said, ‘You guys are our eyes on the ground,’ ” said Victoria Praus.

Andrew and Victoria Praus of Cottonwood were part of a group of members of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation who traveled to Washington March 10-13. During their trip, MFBF members met with members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to talk about key concerns for farmers.

“We were incredibly blessed to have that opportunity,” Andrew Praus said.

The group also included MFBF leadership like President Dan Glessig, and Vice President Carolyn Olson. Olson also farms near Cottonwood.

The MFBF organizes advocacy trips to Washington twice a year. The events are open to all MFBF members.

Andrew Praus said he learned about the trip to Washington through being a member of the Lyon County Farm Bureau board.

“I thought it would be interesting,” he said. It would be a chance to get to know fellow MFBF members, in addition to talking to lawmakers. Praus said he also hadn’t been to see Washington, D.C., since he was in middle school.

In Washington, MFBF members split into two groups to meet with different legislators and their staff.

“Our group got to meet (Sen.) Tina Smith and (Rep.) Michelle Fischbach,” Victoria Praus said.

They also met Rep. Brad Finstad, and Rep. Tom Emmer, as well as staff from the offices of Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Betty McCollum.

The Prauses said for them, one of the important parts of the trip was being able to share personal stories with members of Congress. MFBF members were able to give concrete examples of how federal policies affected them.

“For me, it was talking about inflation, and the cost of everything,” Victoria Praus said.

Praus is a child care provider. Rising prices for foods like milk, eggs and fruit really add up when she’s caring for kids, she said.

“I spoke about Prop 12, and the issues stemming from that,” Andrew Praus said.

Proposition 12 is a California law that sets requirements for the amount of housing space needed for animals like breeding sows, and bans businesses in California from selling pork that wasn’t raised in compliance with those requirements. Although it was passed in California, Proposition 12 has a wider influence on the pork industry, and could affect the cost of pork, Praus said.

Andrew Praus said he also spoke with legislators about issues like year-round sales of E15 fuel blends, which contain 15% ethanol, and the need for a new Farm Bill.

“The main thing was trying to get a Farm Bill passed,” he said.

The U.S. has not had a new Farm Bill since 2018. The current Farm Bill expired last year, but the American Relief Act of 2025 gave the bill an extension through Sept. 30.

“At first, I was super nervous,” Victoria Praus said of meeting with legislators. However, once they started talking with members of Congress, it was easier to remember they were people “just like us,” she said.

Andrew Praus said being part of the advocacy trip was also a good learning experience.

“It’s important to at least have some understanding of how your government operates,” he said.

During their time in Washington, the MFBF group also heard updates form the American Farm Bureau Federation, agribusiness leaders, and officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. MFBF said board members held meetings with representatives of the USDA, the U.S. Trade Representative, and staff from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

The Prauses said they also got to see some of the sights in Washington. The group toured the Capitol building with Finstad, Victoria said. During their trip, they also saw President Trump’s motorcade.

“It was a very cool experience,” she said.

“It was well worth it. We’re hoping to go again at some point,” Andrew Praus said of participating in the advocacy trip.

MFBF said its next advocacy trip to Washington will be held in September.