In Minnesota, agriculture isn’t just an industry; it’s a way of life. It’s what puts food on our tables, keeps small towns alive and reflects the values that have shaped generations. Grit fuels the spirit of farms, but it takes energy to keep it running.
From the first pass of the planter to the last load hauled to the elevator, farmers rely on fuel to get the job done. Tractors, combines, grain dryers and semis all depend on diesel, gasoline and propane to keep moving. Barns and homes across Minnesota are powered by propane and natural gas, especially through our long winters.
Each year,
Minnesota’s farmers use nearly 32 million barrels of liquid fuel
. It powers their equipment, heats their buildings, dries their grain and gets their crops to market. Fertilizer, herbicides, machinery and even the tires on a sprayer are made using petroleum and natural gas products. It plays a key role in the acres planted and the bushels harvested.
The agriculture and the oil and natural gas industries have always been partners: two sectors working side by side to keep rural America moving. When farmers thrive, energy providers thrive. And when American energy is reliable and affordable, it gives farmers the freedom to grow and invest in the future.
The world depends on what Minnesota’s farmers grow, build, and deliver, and API will be there to power their work every step of the way.
Dave Fraser is the associate director of the Midwest region for the American Petroleum Institute.