Updated at: 02/15/2010 10:41 PM | KSAX.com
By: Anthony Kiekow

| Print Story  Email to a Friend

U.S. Ag Secretary and Chair of House Ag Committee Talk Food with Local Farmers

MARSHALL, Minn - U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack attended a "Homegrown Economy" event at Southwest Minnesota Sate University in Marshall Monday.

At the event the powerful political pair conversed with local farmers about selling locally grown food to Minnesotans.

"Whenever something is grown in the same area it's bought it's always fresher. That's just common sense," Perterson said.

Vilsack emphasized the economic benefits.

"It keeps more dollars in the state and gives people the belief that you can be a success in a rural area," said Vilsack.

The famers in attendance got a chance to grill the two men about their commitment to helping local farmers.

They also got to show off some of the food they grow locally.

Peterson said he plans on pushing a ne Farm Bill, which he says will help local farmers "a great deal."

Written for the Web by Anthony Kiekow

akiekow@ksax.com