Pawlenty announces farmer assistance network
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is announcing a program to help Minnesota farmers now in crisis.
Pawlenty announced Thursday at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will launch a network soon to help farmers find resources in a one-stop site.
The Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network, or MFAN, will provide mentoring, technical assistance and financial guidance to farm families facing financial hardships.
State Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson says the network is designed to help farmers connect with lending institutions and other services.
The network will include a hot line staffed by financial analysts who would help producers.
MFAN will be funded through reallocation of existing money.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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