This issue of Ag Innovation News highlights AURI’s first-term Board Director, Rep. Rick Hansen. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, Rep. Hansen was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004. He currently serves as the DFL Co-Chair of the Agriculture Committee and served as Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee from 2019 to 2025. He also serves as Co-Chair of the NCSL Agriculture Task Force and was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL). Rep. Hansen lives in South St. Paul with his family and has a family farm in southern Minnesota.
Q: Please tell our readers a little about your background.
I graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in biology and received my Master of Science degree in soil management from Iowa State University. Prior to being elected to the House, I worked at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and served on the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. I’ve been a member of the Agriculture Committee for multiple terms in the legislature and now serve as Co-Chair in our currently tied House.
Q: Why did you want to join AURI’s board of directors?
Having served in the legislature for 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand the value of AURI and the work it does. It‘s good to have the opportunity to be involved in managing an organization focused on innovation and creativity in the ag industry.
Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing farmers today?
Monopolization, consolidation, and high land prices are all major challenges facing today’s farmers. We have moved to a feudal system, where you have to be born or married into the farming industry—and I believe that needs to change.
Q: How can Minnesota best support its agricultural industry?
We need to be applying the innovative research being done in our state in order to support our new and emerging farmers. I’m focused on promoting science based solutions to meet ever-changing local consumer and business demands.
Q: What action has been taken at the Legislature to support farmers and the agricultural industry?
This year, we passed a strong agricultural budget that focused on the changing culture in agriculture and the people who make our food system work. Our budget feeds kids and families, helps farmers get ahead, and promotes science-based solutions to threats like bird flu. I’m proud to say we passed our bill with broad bipartisan support, and we finished on time during the regular session. I’m looking forward to continuing that work in the second year of my term.
Q: Which ag-related issues are most important to you?
Some of the most important issues that guide my work at the Legislature include diversification of both farmers and crops, enhancing and preserving water quality, protecting wildlife, and addressing agricultural impacts on the broader community.
Q: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I often spend weekends down on my family farm of over 600 acres in southern Minnesota. I have spent decades working with Amish neighbors and young farmers to provide them opportunities to sell their products. I also love walking the farmland in southern Minnesota, taking photographs of the beautiful landscapes, bees, and other wildlife that we share the land with.