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Last week, Senator Tina Smith announced that she will not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2026. While we will miss her leadership, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for her years of service—especially her unwavering commitment to rural Minnesota.   From standing up for reproductive rights to her tireless advocacy for farmers and small-town businesses, Senator Smith has always been a leader on broadband expansion, mental health resources, and rural infrastructure. She understands that a strong Minnesota means investing in every corner of the state, not just the metro areas.   As a former Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senator, and lifelong organizer, she has fought for policies that uplift working families, expand access to healthcare, and ensure that rural voices are heard at the highest levels of government. Her work on agriculture and economic development has left a lasting impact, and her leadership will be deeply missed.   We thank Senator Smith for her service, her dedication, and her belief in the power of rural communities. We look forward to seeing what she does next and know that her work to make Minnesota a better place is far from over.

As we reflect on this election season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our endorsed candidates. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for serving your communities have been truly inspiring. Win or lose, your efforts have brought important issues to the forefront and strengthened the voice of rural Minnesota. Thank you for stepping up, leading with courage, and working tirelessly to make a difference. Together, we continue to build a brighter future for all Minnesotans. With gratitude, The DFL Rural Caucus

Make plans to attend Precinct Caucuses on Tues. Feb. 27th and take any or all of these 10 DFL Rural Caucus resolutions for adoption.  These were chosen as priorities by Rural Caucus members in an online vote. Other resolutions that were submitted but not chosen as our Top Ten are found in the "Resolutions: Additional" attachment.

Here are some new rural caucus handouts for you to download and use! English: Spanish:

The MN Department of Agriculture just announced a new grant opportunity for secondary students in the meat industry. "A new grant opportunity from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) helps Minnesota schools looking to establish or enhance meat cutting and butchery training for secondary students. "The Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant Program will award about $350,000 in onetime funding from the Minnesota Legislature to secondary career and technical education programs (public or private schools or school districts) to fund equipment, facility renovation, curriculum development, faculty training, and more." For more information click on this link to the notice by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA): https://www.mda.state.mn.us/new-grant-brings-meat-cutting-butchery-training-mn-students

Every single resolution promoted by the DFL Rural Caucus was adopted, thank you to all the Minnesota DFL Party State convention attendees, everyone that submitted them at their precinct caucus, and each organizing unit that adopted them to move to the state convention!

The DFL Rural Caucus Executive Committee meeting is Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 6:30 - 8pm. An agenda and zoom link will be sent out separately. Join us!

The DFL State Convention is May 21-22 in Rochester. If you are a delegate, alternate, or volunteer, join the Rural Caucus meeting from 12 - 1:30 pm on Saturday, our first in-person gathering since we've been officially recognized as a DFL Community Caucus, and the first time since December 2019 that folks have gathered. If you are not a delegate or alternate and wish to volunteer, please contact Theresa Keaveny, DFL Rural Caucus Chairperson at 507.766.9159.

DFL Rural Caucus Members and Supporters --- You no doubt know that one of the most effective ways to engage voters is to speak with them personally. That's right. Personal voter contact has one of the greatest impacts in elections. And here at the DFL Rural Caucus, helping DFL candidates get elected in Greater Minnesota is what we are all about. Be part of the action! On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 5:30 - 7:30pm, the DFL Rural Caucus will be making voter outreach calls in Senate Districts throughout Greater Minnesota. This has been organized by our Rural Caucus Outreach Officer, Grant, Hauschild, and we will be working with DFL Rural Organizers Logan Kortgard, and Ryan Walfoort. Use the Mobilize link to register in advance for this event: https://www.mobilize.us/mncoordinatedcampaign/event/448982/ Never called before? Our calling night offers a good opportunity to learn with a supportive, motivated team. You will be introduced to the calling process and how to be an effective communicator. I have found calling to be easy, efficient, and when done with a group like Rural Caucus folks, fun! This is also a good time to catch people on their phones. As the campaign season unfolds, additional Rural Caucus calling nights will be organized in key districts in Greater Minnesota. We are counting on you to help us launch this effort with gusto. Questions? Contact Grant Hauschild Grant.Hauschild@gmail.com or myself tkeaveny15@gmail.com Hope to see you on Wednesday, April 6th, at 5:30pm! Theresa Keaveny, Chairperson DFL Rural Caucus 507.766.9159

Please Join the DFL Senior Caucus and Rural Caucus for Day on the Hill 22 March 9, 2022, 9:45 AM – 2:00 PM Featuring Robert Roach, President Alliance for Retired Americans Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. This is an opportunity to hear about issues you care about from people who have experience and know how to solve problems. Also on the call will be legislators from across Minnesota. Let them know what's on your mind, and how to make our state better than ever! Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85030623907 waiting room, no password Audio-only one-tap mobile + 16513728299,,85030623907# Audio-only plain old telephone 1-651-372-8299 Meeting ID: 850 3062 3907 Tentative Schedule for the Day * 9:45 Virtual meeting opens Welcome by Chairpersons - Kay Henrikson, DFL Senior Caucus & Theresa Keaveny, DFL Rural Caucus 10:00 Guest Speaker Robert Roach, President, Alliance for Retired Americans (Legislators speak and answer questions for 20 minutes each) 10:30 * Rep. Kaohly Vang Her - St Paul * Rep Sandra Masin – Eagan 11:00 MN Attorney General Keith Ellison, the People's Lawyer * Rep Ginny Klevorn– Plymouth 12:00-12:20 Lunch Break with St Patrick's Day Greeting from John Corcoran 12:20 – 2:00 * Rep Tina Liebling – Rochester * Sen Nick Frentz – North Mankato * Sen Kent Eken ̶ Audubon * Rep. Paul Marquart – Dilworth * Rep. Dan Wolgamott ̶ St Cloud 2:00 Adjourn *Subject to change; flexibility is requested in light of legislators' schedules

Join the Minnesota DFL and the DFL Rural Caucus for the fourth event in a series of virtual rural issues forums focusing on organized labor and working people in Greater Minnesota, featuring Representative Dan Wolgamott, and panelists from UFCW, Education Minnesota, and the AFL-CIO--Wednesday, March 23 at 6PM! Bring your friends and family--we can't wait to see you there! To register, please click HERE

Precinct Caucuses are in nearly here! The Rural Caucus Resolutions are ready for you to download, print off, fill out, sign, and bring in person, or scan & email to your unit. The 2022 DFL caucuses are nearly here & the Rural Caucus NEEDS YOUR HELP! Our Resolutions and Platform Committee has worked to develop resolutions that embody the goals and aspirations for rural Minnesota, and we are asking you to bring, or send, these resolutions to your local caucus gatherings in two weeks, and to ask for others to support them. Resolutions can end up forming the core of our DFL Party Platform and Action Agenda, which guides the goals and work of our party for the two years between state caucuses. A caucus is a gathering of neighbors for the purpose of discussing issues and organizing the local DFL party unit. All parties have their caucuses on the same night, and the next precinct caucus will be on February 1, 2022. The main work of the caucus is to elect precinct leaders, to elect delegates to attend the county, congressional, and state conventions, and to gather resolutions to be submitted at the State Convention for consideration of inclusion into the DFL Party Platform. If you have questions about DFL caucuses, visit the MN DFL website for more information at this link: https://dfl.org/caucuses-conventions/precinct-caucus/ The Rural Caucus is asking for your help. Print the attached resolutions, fill in your information and bring them to your Precinct Caucus. Share them with friends, family and acquaintances to bring to their Precinct Caucus. Ask that your precinct support these resolutions and vote yes to move them on to the County or Party Unit Convention. Become a delegate or alternate, representing your Precinct at the County/Party Unit Convention. Ask to serve on the Resolution Committee at that Convention. Promote the Rural Caucus Resolutions at this Convention and ask that others support our priorities and vote yes to move them on to the State Convention. Consider becoming a delegate or alternate to the State DFL Convention. We will be working hard at the convention to get the Rural Caucus Resolutions Passed and part of the 2022-23 DFL Action Agenda Platform. Thank you so much for your help and support. Let us know if you have questions.