One of Minnesota’s oldest industries, mining, provides important lessons for the state’s success in capturing the economic opportunities of artificial intelligence. Three lessons are especially important.

Add value

First, raw materials create immediate wealth, but sustainable prosperity is in value-added processes. Minnesota’s Iron Range produced the material for the steel that built the 20th Century and is just as vital today. But Minnesota didn’t just ship away its minerals. It also exported wealth by allowing other states and countries to dominate the value-added processing and manufacturing.

Today, AI data centers are proposed for communities throughout Minnesota. These centers are the “mines” of AI, exploiting the raw technology of the advanced chips. The centers generate revenue, but sustainable wealth is in the commercial applications of AI.

Minnesota is well-positioned to exploit the potential for value-added wealth. The state already has a strong foothold in AI research and development, advancing new uses for AI chips and improving manufacturing processes.

In addition, the state is home to the kind of industries that are among the early adopters of advanced AI. The state’s life sciences sector, for example, includes more than 7,000 companies employing 326,000 workers. Many of these are well-paying jobs in areas like medical devices, biotech and health IT. Mayo Clinic and other health leaders are well-along in adapting AI to better serve patients and customers.

Sustainable wealth, including new companies and good jobs, is in value-added applications.

Don’t protect, compete!

Second, Minnesota is not an island. In today’s economy ideas and capital move quickly around the world. Those that adapt to the global exchange of financing and expertise will be tomorrow’s job creators.

Staying competitive in a global marketplace has spurred innovation on the Iron Range. Seems something as basic as a mineral extracted from the ground wouldn’t be ripe for cutting-edge creativity. Yet, the iron ore of a century ago gave way to taconite in the mid-20th Century to a more environmentally friendly and purer iron-ore pellet today. This new pellet is essential to modern steelmaking and keeps the Iron Range viable in domestic and foreign steelmaking.

Maintaining a global market for AI chips also is essential to keeping U.S. manufacturers in the forefront of innovation and sophistication. Some policymakers have argued for export barriers and other restrictions on AI technology. A bill pending in Congress would give U.S. customers the “right of first refusal” before AI chips could be exported, according to the legislation’s lead sponsor Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN). In practice, the GAIN AI Act — Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence — would create a slow and ponderous process for all sales.

The GAIN AI Act and other protectionist policies undermine our incentives to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Protectionism preserves complacency; competition encourages the innovation needed to maintain leadership. U.S. manufacturers are able to compete with the world’s best. Imposing artificial barriers on the sale of AI chips is a concession by some policymakers that U.S. companies can’t compete on a level playing field. That’s not just an admission of defeat. It is a path to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Smart science, effective policy, supportive Minnesotans

The third lesson from the Iron Range is that success takes a village, or in this case, an entire state. The Iron Range has survived the region’s boom and bust cycles with smart science, effective policy and supportive Minnesotans. When natural ore was depleted, researchers at the University of Minnesota developed new methods to mine and process taconite, a low-grade iron ore that is plentiful but more costly to produce. To offset the higher production costs, Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment to create a more favorable tax environment for the industry.

Minnesota’s burgeoning AI industry will need the same multi-discipline leadership. Research and training at the University of Minnesota and other post-secondary institutions will be essential to creating the knowledge, start-up companies, and workers key to the future of a globally competitive, environmentally responsible mining industry in Minnesota.

State and federal lawmakers need to develop the tax and spending policies that will support research, education and the public and private investments needed to create next-generation technology. The state’s congressional delegation, both Republican and Democrats, is needed to promote a “Minnesota First” agenda that rejects ineffective and unproductive restrictions on AI leadership like the GAIN AI Act.

Minnesota has the foundational assets to be a leader in AI manufacturing and applications. The path forward is paved with the lessons to be learned from one of the state’s defining industries.

Tom Horner is a public affairs executive and a former Independence Party candidate for governor of Minnesota.

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By JOSH FUNK and MARK VANCLEAVE, Associated Press

RANDOLPH, Minn. (AP) — When Donald Trump promised new tariffs while running for president, Gene Stehly worried that trade disputes would jeopardize his international sales of corn, soybeans and wheat.

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A little more than a year later, Stehly said his fears have become a reality, and Trump’s latest promise of federal assistance is insufficient to cover farmers’ losses.

“Maybe this will all come out to be better at the end, but I can tell you right now, it certainly isn’t the case at the moment,” Stehly said.

Trump announced Monday that his Republican administration would distribute $12 billion in one-time payments to farmers, who have suffered from persistently low commodity prices, rising costs and declining sales after China cut off all agricultural purchases from America during the trade war.

While rural areas remain conservative bastions, farmers’ patience with Washington is wearing thin. Several of them described the government bailout, an echo of similar policies during Trump’s first term, as a welcome stopgap but one that won’t solve the agricultural industry’s problems.

“It’s a bridge. It’s not the ultimate solution we’re looking for,” said Charlie Radman, a fourth-generation farmer who grows corn and soybeans on the land his family has owned near Randolph, Minnesota, since 1899. “What we really want to have is a little more certainty and not have to rely on these ad hoc payments.”

Farmers caught up in trade war

American soybean and sorghum farmers typically export at least half of their crops. They were hit the hardest by Trump’s trade dispute with China, the world’s largest buyer of soybeans that has increasingly relied on harvests from Brazil and other South American nations.

Trump and his Cabinet have boasted about the deal he struck with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October. But Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, said this week that “agriculture trade cooperation between China and the United States is proceeding in an orderly manner” without giving specifics.

So far, China has bought only about a quarter of the 12 million metric tons of soybeans that U.S. officials said would be purchased before the end of February, raising doubts on whether Beijing would follow through on that pledge or commitments to buy 25 million metric tons annually in the next three years. China hasn’t confirmed those numbers.

“In general, I don’t trust their motives and integrity of their promises,” said Bryant Kagay, who farms in northwest Missouri.

Even if China does buy the agreed amount of American soybeans, that would only bring U.S. farmers near to the amount they were selling every year before Trump took office.

That’s a big part of why Minnesota farmer Glen Groth said he’d “like to see the administration focus more on opening up markets outside of China.” In addition to finding other international buyers, agriculture groups are pushing to expand domestic uses like biodiesel, ethanol, aviation fuel and animal feed.

Dan Keitzer, a soybean and corn farmer in southeast Iowa, said recent bumper crops and technological advancements that produce bigger harvests means that the industry needs more customers.

“I think most farmers would tell you that they don’t want to go to the mailbox and get a check from the government. That’s not why we farm,” he said. “We need more demand for our product.”

Aid is considered a Band-Aid

Trump has placated farmers with money before. During his first term, he provided $22 billion in 2019 to help cushion them from trade disputes with China. There was $46 billion in 2020, an expanded number that reflected financial challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $12 billion that he announced this week won’t quell farmers’ fears about the future. They’re already ordering supplies for next year’s crops and meeting with their bankers to discuss the loans they will need. But they’re trying to stay optimistic that crop prices will improve if they find more buyers.

The aid payments will be capped at $155,000 per farmer or entity, and only farms that make less than $900,000 in adjusted gross income will be eligible. But during the first Trump administration a number of large farms found ways around the payment limits and collected millions.

Farmers would like to see Trump aggressively tackle concerns about higher costs that are eating into their bottom line.

Trump signed an executive order over the weekend directing the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to investigate anti-competitive practices anywhere in the food supply chain, starting with the fertilizer, seed and equipment that farmers rely on and continuing to deal with meat packing companies and grocers who help determine what price consumers pay.

Tregg Cronin, who farms and ranches with his family in central South Dakota, said he’s grateful for the president’s acknowledgment that farmers are “caught in the middle” of the trade war.

But he said that any checks that farmers receive from the government will likely “get turned around and sent right out the door.”

Funk reported from Omaha, Neb. Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.

If you’ve tried flying with seven swans a-swimming and six geese a-laying during the holidays, you know how Grinch-like the airlines get by Day 7 of Christmas. And TSA? It turns downright frosty by the top of the second week. Limiting eight maids a-milking to just 3.4 ounces doesn’t make anyone happy — least of all the cows with swollen udders.

In an effort to bring sanity to the act of giving true loves gifts that travel better than two turtle doves and three French hens, we’ve rounded up some favorite on-the-go goods for a holiday shopping guide. It’s not the whole sleigh, but it’ll get your gift-giving gears in motion.

And to all the Scrooges out there, kindly curb your cynicism: Aside from receiving samples and trials for review, we receive no compensation from these companies. Our holiday wish is simple — to take the guesswork out of shopping for the travelers in your life. Or go ahead and gift yourself. Whoever these 12 portable picks are for, each is sure to shine under the Christmas tree, beside the menorah or wherever thoughtful presents are exchanged.

Machine-washable TripTrays help make plane travel safer hygienically. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Don we now, our tray apparel: TripTrays makes placemat-sized table covers that are a first-class upgrade for passengers who don’t quite trust that planes are cleaned between flights. Once at cruising altitude, simply whip out your tray table and lay the 100% cotton, machine-washable mat on top. It’s a more sanitary and elegant way to eat and drink in the air, and what traveler in your life wouldn’t love a gift that does that? Plus, the non-skid backing helps keep devices in place during turbulence. Made in Sacramento, TripTrays (triptrays.com) come in 27 designs, each priced at $25.

Manta Pro Sleep Mask. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Sleep in heavenly peace: The Manta Pro Sleep Mask won’t block airplane noise (that’s where Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 shine), but for visual serenity, it delivers a 100% blackout seal with zero pressure on eyelids or lashes. Even side sleepers will find it comfortable — ideal for those curled up in a window seat. The premium version runs $85, but the benefits are priceless for us in-flight insomniacs. If your holiday budget is tight, Manta (mantasleep.com) offers a $39 alternative that’s not quite as plush.

Walking in a tourist wonderland: GPS is a travel godsend, but VoiceMap (voicemap.me) goes further by acting as a professional tour guide with storytelling, literal step-by-step directions and friendly course correction if you stray. Just pop in your earbuds, tap start and let the app guide you on walks, bike rides, drives, even boat tours. With nearly 2,000 tours across 600 destinations, there’s something for every traveler. VoiceMap’s one walking tour in Knoxville, Tenn., had this visitor ambling through downtown for 75 minutes, stopping at such key historical sites as the 1790s home of territorial governor William Blount, who was a symbol of the city’s early political roots, along with the majestic, century-old Tennessee Theatre and the iconic Sunsphere tower. Gift vouchers range from $25 for three tours to $100 for 20.

KeepGoing First Aid Go-Kit. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Ow Christmas tree, ow Christmas tree: Owies aren’t fun anywhere, but they’re a real pain while on holiday. A well-stocked, up-to-date first-aid kit can be a lifesaver. KeepGoing First Aid (keepgoingfirstaid.com) offers a full line of travel-ready kits in multiple sizes and styles, including a collection for kids. Each compact pouch is water- and stain-resistant, and refillable when supplies run low or expire. The carry-on-friendly KeepGoing First Aid Go-Kit ($42) is a bestseller, packing 130 essentials into a creatively designed and tidy case.

ReadBright Take Home Backpack materials. (Photo by David Dickstein)

O learn, all ye faithful: The ReadBright Take Home Backpack is a smart holiday gift for parents invested in early literacy — and for children eager to catch up or get ahead. Geared for kindergarten through second grade, each ReadBright (readbright.com) toolkit supports reading fluency with phonics-based books, practice drills and progress tracking. The Level 1 set sent for review is excellent (my first-grade teacher-wife agrees), focusing on short vowels, digraphs and blends — essential building blocks for young readers. Inside are 19 decodable books with colorful illustrations and engaging plots that reinforce phonics and high-frequency words. The stories follow a cumulative learning path to build confidence. Also included: a homework book with fluency cards and activity sheets, plus a progress chart that turns reading into a celebration. Kids can color, sticker and smiley-face their way through each book, tracking milestones and momentum. Priced from $50 to $100, depending on level, these travel-friendly kits give the gift of literacy long after the holidays.

Say “bah humbug” to passport panic: Just over half of Americans now hold valid passports — a sharp rise from 30% in 2008 thanks to increased international travel and the rise of passport expediting services. One standout is ItsEasy.com, whose mobile app made passport renewal refreshingly painless for this citizen who in the past had used a brick-and-mortar agency that charged half a grand for their services. With ItsEasy.com (itseasy.com), clear instructions simplified even the trickiest parts, like taking an acceptable photo at home and paying the correct fees. Went rush, too, with no hiccups. Fees start at $40, and while there’s no process to surprise someone else with this service, when dealing with bureaucracy, convenience is a gift you should give yourself.

Hemlock UPF 50+ Lifeguard Straw Hat. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Deck the halls and head: Sure, Santa’s got his signature red cap, but when he’s catching rays on his annual after-Christmas vacation in the Southern Hemisphere, he swaps it out for a handcrafted, high-performance hat with strong built-in sun protection. Hemlock Hat Company (hemlockhatco.com), based in Carlsbad, makes one that puts the “fun” in functional. Available in over 30 cool styles, the Hemlock UPF 50+ Lifeguard Straw Hat ($45) is lightweight, breathable and durable, and features a uniquely designed under-brim that shows off one’s personality and fashionably shields the face, ears and neck.

Dashing through the sew: For the traveler who appreciates the journey as much as the destination, on-the-go kits sold at Needlepoint.com (needlepoint.com) make thoughtful gifts that make even more gifts. The website’s stock of travel-related products include a Hawaii-inspired travel coaster that brings island vibes to your stitching. Another fine choice among the massive selection of designs for all skill levels and budgets is the collection of destination-themed luggage tags ($48). Just beware — in a classic situation of beauty and the beast, once attached, these colorful crafts are at the mercy of suitcase-sadistic baggage handlers.

Powerball gyro exercisers. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Ho ho ho gyro: Playing Powerball has weak odds, but using Powerball is all about strength. And, yes, we’re talking about two very different things. The non-lottery Powerball (mydfx.com)  is a gyro exerciser — a dynamic spinning handheld tool that after three to five minutes on an airplane, in a hotel or wherever, provides a solid workout geared to tone forearms and boost wrist endurance. They start at $35, but for splurging Santas, there’s the top-of-the-line DFX Powerball Iron Forearm Muscle Builder that costs $140. This model, engineered for athletes and advanced users, is capable of spinning up to 16,000 RPM, generating 50 to 60 pounds of dynamic gyroscopic resistance. The metallic protective case makes for an even more impressive gift.

Nichols Farms pistachios and CirC Protein Bites. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Nutty and nice: When it comes to protein-packed pistachios, the only brand to crack this list is Nichols Farms, located in the San Joaquin Valley, which produces over 99% of U.S. pistachios. Let me shell out some reasons why they make great gifts. Nichols Farms (nicholsfarms.com) grows its pistachios sustainably and roasts them without oils — no added fat, just 6 grams of protein per serving. Their flavors let the nut shine, from such organic no-shell picks as habanero lime, rosemary garlic, hot honey and maple butter to nonorganic standouts that include jalapeño lime and garlic garden herbs. The cocoa cookie flavor? Think nutty Cocoa Puffs. Purists will appreciate the shelled and unshelled sea-salted classics. Gift sets start at $40.

Jingle all the whey: You don’t need to be as wise as the Magi to know that protein bars can be messy. If it’s not crumbs all over the place, it’s melted chocolate left on the wrapper and possibly your face. But they are smart to bring on a trip and make great stocking stuffers. CirC (circbites.com) offers a tasty and healthy solution: five poppable, protein-packed bites in a resealable tray, perfect for on-the-go lifestyles. Each tray of Protein Bites delivers 18 grams of whey protein for muscle and metabolism. The peanut butter-banana flavor is awesome. So is the chocolate mint from CirC’s Energy Bites line that contains 10 grams of balanced nutrition for sustained energy per serving. A giftable 12-pack costs around $40.

Pristine Toilet Paper Spray. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Comfort and joy: One of the quiet indignities of travel is surrendering your bathroom routine to unfamiliar plumbing and paper-thin toilet rolls. Enter Pristine Cleansing Sprays (pristinesprays.com), which is in the business business to relieve some of this discomfort with a spritz of grace. They make the travel-size Pristine Toilet Paper Spray (from $7) that turns ordinary bathroom tissue into a flushable wet wipe — scented or fragrance-free — offering a touch of your own abode in a foreign commode. Plant-based and TSA-friendly, this pocket-sized present restores dignity to the most basic necessity.

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In my childhood home, we had a leg of lamb two Sundays a month. I loved those Sundays, as did my Shetland sheepdog who was the recipient of the leftover bone. Mom’s recipe was simple. The meat was topped with olive oil, salt and pepper prior to roasting.

This recipe takes it up a notch making it the perfect entrée for special occasion holiday entertaining. This approach studs the meat with little “bouquets” made of rosemary sprigs, slivered garlic and anchovies. Don’t be put off by the anchovies; they taste delicious, offering just-right saltiness. Plan ahead when making this version; it tastes best if it is seasoned 1 to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.

My local supermarket rarely carries leg of lamb. I guess it is because it is so darn expensive. Markets such as Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Gelson’s have them. I tested the recipe using a smaller bone-in leg, one that weighed in at a little less than 4 pounds. I used 2/3 of the amount of garlic, anchovy, rosemary and salt, and reduced the roasting time by about 25 minutes (roasting it only 48 minutes after turning the oven temperature down).

Yes, my guests will get smaller servings, but I will make up for it by providing loads of vegetables.

Roast Leg of Lamb with Anchovy, Rosemary, Garlic and Piment d’Espelette

Yield: 8 to 10

INGREDIENTS

1 whole bone-in leg of lamb, 7 to 8 pounds, preferably with hip bone removed, with 1/8-inch layer of fat, see cook’s notes
5 large garlic cloves, peeled, cut into thin slivers
4 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry and cut into 20 little pieces
4 leafy sprigs rosemary, cut into twenty pieces
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons piment d’Espelette, see cook’s notes
1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth

Cook’s notes: My local supermarket rarely carries legs of lamb. I guess it is because it is so darn expensive. Markets such as Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Gelson’s have them. I tested the recipe using a smaller bone-in leg for this recipe, one that is severed at the knee, weighing only a little less than 4 pounds. I use 2/3 of the amount of garlic, anchovy, rosemary and salt, and reduced the roasting time by about 25 minutes (roasting it only 48 minutes after turning the oven temperature down). Yes, my guests will get smaller servings, but I make up for it by providing loads of vegetables.

Piment d’Espelette is a brick-red powder made from chilies from the town of Espelette in the Basque region of France. It is milder than cayenne; its light heat is nuanced with sweetness. It is available at Savory Spice Shop in Corona del Mar (928 Avocado Ave.), or from several sources online. If you prefer, substitute hot paprika (not smoked paprika).

DIRECTIONS

1. Using the tip of a paring knife, make 20 small holes on all sides of lamb. Stuff each hole with a sliVer of garlic, a bit of anchovy and a small sprig of rosemary, leaving the tips of the rosemary sticking out. (It may help to gather the seasonings into a little “bouquet” and use the point of the knife to tuck a “bouquet” into each hole.) Season surface with salt and piment d’Espelette. Set in a large baking dish and refrigerate, uncovered or loosely covered, for 1 to 2 days. Let lamb come to room temperature for about 2 hours before roasting.

2. Arrange oven rack in the lower third of oven and heat to 450 degrees (425 degrees convection).

3. Roasting: Rub surface with olive oil. Place lamb with the rounder, meatier side up in roasting pan just large enough to accommodate it (it’s fine if the top of the shank rests on the edge of the roasting pan.) Roast 25 minutes and then pour wine over lamb. Lower temperature to 325 degrees (300 degrees convection). Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the meatiest part of the leg reaches 120 to 125 degrees for rare, about 1 hour from the time you lowered the oven heat; or 130 to 135 degrees for medium rare, about 1 1/4 hours.

4. Remove lamb to carving board, preferably one with a trough, to rest for 20 to 35 minutes. Tilt roasting pan and spoon off as much of the clear fat as you can. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the pan drippings (if they are too stuck to the pan to scrape up, add 1/4 cup water to dissolve them). Set aside the pan drippings to drizzle over the carved lamb. Carve and serve drizzled with the pan drippings, or layer the slices in the roasting pan so they soak up the pan juices and serve family style (I really like this soak-in-the-pan approach), from the roasting pan.

Source: Adapted from “All About Roasting” by Molly Stevens (W.W. Norton, $35)

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