2014 Legislator of the Year

State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-District 22-B: Mountain Lake, Minn.) was named the 2014 Legislator of the Year by Minnesota Milk Producers Association for demonstrating support to dairy farmers, the dairy industry and rural Minnesota by his actions at the State Capitol. The award was announced during Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Conference and Expo on December 3 in St. Cloud, Minn.

Representative Hamilton is a strong and consistent voice for agriculture interests. Over his five terms in the State Legislature, his support for efforts that strengthen Minnesota farms and rural communities has not wavered. Throughout his tenure, his leadership, along with the help of others, successfully shaped the state’s environmental compliance and permitting process to provide more clarity, consistency and timeliness for today’s livestock farms.

He has successfully supported many of Minnesota Milk Producers Association’s initiatives, including the repeal of business-to-business taxes on agricultural equipment repair, maintaining the 48 hour ag work week, and continued funding for the Livestock Investment Grant program. In 2012, while Chair of the Ag Committee, he oversaw the passage of Minnesota’s Dairy Research, Teaching and Consumer Education Authority, a key element in building a stronger base of support for dairy development in Minnesota.

“We owe Representative Hamilton a debt of gratitude for all he has done to bring common sense to agriculture policy. We have several battles yet to fight and win at the Capitol, but our prospects for success are much stronger with him on our side,” said Pat Lunemann, President of Minnesota Milk Producers Association