A new statewide survey commissioned by Minnesota AgriGrowth finds Minnesotans overwhelmingly view food and agriculture as central to the state’s economy, even as voters express growing concern about food affordability, food quality, environmental impacts, and the future competitiveness of Minnesota agriculture.
The survey of 500 registered Minnesota voters found that 98% of Minnesotans believe farming and food is an important driver to the state’s economy, ahead of health care and medical devices, construction, finance, retail and hospitality, and manufacturing, with 84% saying it is very important.
Only 31% of Minnesotans have a current connection to the farm economy
The survey also found that Minnesotans have a diminished connection to food and agriculture. Thirty-one percent (31%) of Minnesotans said they currently live or work on a farm, work at a food and agriculture business, or have a family member who lives or works on a farm. Another 17% have family members who used to farm. A majority (51%) of Minnesotans said they had zero connection to Minnesota’s food and farming economy.
Despite few being connected to the farm and food economy, 67% of Minnesotans said Minnesota is a national leader in food and agriculture. Minnesotans believe the University of Minnesota’s research, large headquarters such as Cargill, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, and Hormel, and the large number of small family farms are the dominant reasons the state is a leader.
“With food and farming generating nearly 25% of the state’s economic activity and accounting for more than 330,000 jobs, it is reassuring that Minnesotans still believe the state is a leader and the most important driver of our economy,” said AgriGrowth Executive Director Darin Broton. “But voters’ lack of connection to food and farming puts our national leadership at risk, especially at a time when people are concerned about affordability, the cost of food, and overall food safety and health. We need thoughtful, pragmatic solutions that strengthen our food and farm economy.”
63% of Minnesotans believe the state’s economy is getting worse
Minnesotans feel stuck in their personal financial situation: 36% said their finances have gotten worse in the past year, and 44% reported they have stayed the same. While 42% of Minnesotans said the state’s economy is currently in poor condition, 63% said it is getting worse.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) said Minnesota’s agriculture and food economy is worse than the state’s overall economy, and 39% said it is about the same.
Minnesotans are concerned about ultraprocessed foods, yet most have purchased them in the past two weeks Concerns about ultra-processed foods were strong across nearly every demographic group – 89% of voters said they are concerned about their impact on health. Fifty-eight percent (58%) are very concerned. Despite their concerns, 69% of Minnesotans reported buying processed food, including cereal, sliced bread, and lunch meat, in the past two weeks.
The statewide survey was conducted by Meeting Street Insights among 500 registered Minnesota voters from April 20-22, 2026. The margin of error is +/- 4.38%.
