What I'm Hearing about Healthcare in SE MN — and What I Think We Can Do
Our current healthcare system puts local businesses at a disadvantage and forces patients to navigate a labyrinth of red tape just to afford basic care. But we don't have to settle for the status quo. I’m diving into the complex realities of healthcare in our district—the workforce shortages, the lack of transparency, and the potential for a better way forward. Read more to see where we go from here.
When Small, Local Businesses Thrive, Families and Communities Thrive, Too
I've now seen at least four Featherstone employees buy homes in and around Rushford, most recently Ofelia earlier this year, and Mike was right: it is a powerful feeling of validation, seeing young people put down roots in this area, at least in part because of their commitment to Featherstone Farm. That's why I'm so focused on strengthening small, locally owned businesses in our district.
ISSUE FOCUS: Spring Cover Crops in Agriculture — Win-Wins for Farmers and the Environment
Nitrate runoff and soil depletion are real problems in SE Minnesota — and "just telling farmers what to do" isn't the answer. After 30 years of cover cropping at Featherstone Farm, I have a better idea.
Family Roots of my Political DNA
My Grandmother- Elizabeth Hedin- was a constant presence in my life from my first memories through my marriage to Jenni and beyond. It would be difficult to overstate her impact on me. She was an independent woman of remarkable curiosity, warmth and generosity. She was also a rock solid, smart, no nonsense Farmer-Labor Democrat.
More Than Good Workers: The Human Case for Immigrant Farm Labor
As Featherstone Farm's H2-A visa seasonal workers return for another growing season, Jack reflects on how they’ve powered the growth of Featherstone’s $3 million operation…and why treating them fairly is about more than just retaining “good workers.”
What a professional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency looks like
ICE enforcement this past winter in Minnesota has hit a raw nerve for many people — and for me, as a farmer, it’s deeply personal.
“immigrants are feeding this country”
“Immigrants are feeding this country. There is no doubt in my mind about that,” Jack Hedin told the Washington Post in 2025. “We must be finding a way to uh make this easier for producers and easier for labor to come and go and support the type of production that we Americans rely on to feed ourselves.”
Peggy Hansen’s speech endorsing Jack
“I'm Peggy Hansen, and I'm glad to be here because I believe in Jack Hedin and because character matters. I can speak to Jack's character. Have we all learned in the last few years that character matters in an elected political leader? What happens if you don't have someone with good character? I think Jack can win, and I think he'd be a good state senator.”