WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, announced that Gary Wertish, a third-generation farmer from Renville County and President of the Minnesota Farmers Union, will be her guest at President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4. 2025.

“Gary represents so many family farmers and other Minnesotans who are worried about making ends meet because of the Administration’s proposed tariffs, funding freezes, and mass layoffs,” said Klobuchar. “He will be a voice for all Minnesota farmers at the President’s Joint Address.”

“Family farmers are used to watching the skies and hoping for favorable weather. Now they are watching Washington and wondering what a potential trade war, layoffs at local USDA offices, and proposed cuts to Farm Bill programs are going to mean for their farms and communities,” said Wertish. “This only adds to uncertainty and challenges going into spring planting. We’re grateful Senator Klobuchar is working to build bipartisan support for stable trading relationships and a new Farm Bill. I’m honored by her invitation.”

Gary Wertish ran a diversified grain and livestock farm and now assists his son, Tom, in operating their family farm near Renville. He was elected Minnesota Farmers Union President in January 2017, is a member of the National Farmers Union board of directors, and a member of the NFU Executive Committee. Wertish is a board member of Farmers Union Enterprises and serves as the livestock facilitator for the World Farmers Organization Livestock Working Group. He has served on MFU and NFU policy committees and as an MFU field representative. 

Since 1991, Wertish has served as a supervisor for Emmet Township in Renville County. He also served nine years as a director and president of the Renville Volunteer Ambulance Service. From 1993 to 1999, Gary served on the USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Sweeteners, and presently is a member of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds. From 2001 to 2007, Wertish served as then-Senator Mark Dayton’s Agricultural Director.

Wertish graduated from Renville High School and Willmar Area Vocational Technical Institute, with a degree in agriculture business management. He and his wife, Jeanne, are the parents of four adult children.

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