Sugar Growers Visit Washington D.C.

With a five-year Farm Bill now two years overdue, sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers from across the country were in Washington, DC, recently to tell Congress they need a new Farm Bill as soon as possible.  This is Gus Hasbargen’s first time participating in the annual fly-in meetings organized by the American Sugar Alliance.  He said farmers like the Hasbargen family need a strong safety net to keep their family farming legacies alive.

"Our family farm is just outside of Breckenridge, MN, and we’re incredibly proud to be a fourth-generation farm, with three generations working together today.  For us, growing sugarbeets isn’t just about making a living—it’s about carrying on a legacy. My great grandpa was one of the first farmers in our area to raise sugarbeets.  He saw the potential in this crop, and today, we’re still building on what he started. It’s amazing to look out at the fields and know that the same land has sustained our family for generations, and that’s what we want to protect, not just for ourselves, but for the next generation of farmers.”

Farmers say meeting face-to-face with members of Congress is key to ensuring they understand the importance of preserving a strong U.S. sugar policy in the Farm Bill.

“There’s nothing more valuable than putting a face to the farm and helping our elected representatives understand what we do. It’s easy to talk about policies and numbers, but we’re here to remind them that behind every policy decision, there are real farmers, real families, and real communities. U.S. sugar policy ensures a stable, affordable supply of sugar, strengthens our supply chain, and helps support our rural economies. We want to make sure that leaders in Washington understand why it’s so important to keep it that way.”

Sugar production in America, he noted, touches communities coast-to-coast, supporting more than 151,000 jobs and driving more than $23.3 billion in annual economic impact.

“Many people may not realize that we’re much more than just the farm," Hasbargen said.  "My family grows sugarbeets for Minn-Dak Farmers’ Cooperative, and the cooperative is a cornerstone of our region. It doesn’t just provide jobs for farmers—it provides jobs for mill workers, truck drivers, and so many others who rely on the stability of the sugar industry. And the impact isn’t just felt in rural areas—it stretches into urban centers, local businesses, and beyond. So, we’re not just in Washington advocating for our farms, we’re fighting for the families, businesses, and communities that rely on American-grown sugar.”

Hasbargen looks forward to returning to the family farm when he graduates from the University of Minnesota this spring.

“It’s critical to have stability and certainty in place so we can plan ahead," he noted.  "We need to know that the policies we rely on today will still be there—so we can keep doing what we love and growing the crops that feed America. I can’t wait to get back on the farm.”

Learn more about sugar production in America and why sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers need a strong Farm Bill by visiting SugarAlliance.org.

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