Across the United States, foodborne illness outbreaks have become increasingly common, and Minnesota and our farms and producers are not immune. Agriculture is a backbone of Minnesota’s economy, and it must be protected as such. Our farmers work hard every day to deliver safe, reliable products, and they deserve to be treated as partners in food safety, not as scapegoats when an outbreak occurs. This underscores why strong, well-funded and staffed federal agencies are essential to protect public health, preserve consumer confidence, and support the long-term stability of our agricultural economy.