In Episode 107 of the Meeting of Minds podcast, former Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante delivers a clear and urgent warning: ESG investing is no longer just about energy—it’s about food. And unless agricultural states take action, they may find their own public funds being used to undermine the industries that sustain them.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
Murante’s remarks about the risks of unaligned proxy voting begin around 29 minutes in
ESG’s Shift: From Fuels to Farms
Murante describes how ESG has evolved from targeting fossil fuels to launching a “war on food.” Climate activists and billionaires like Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg are pushing policies that blame agriculture for climate change—policies that threaten the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the Midwest.
For states like Nebraska, where agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy, ESG’s anti-food agenda is not just ideological—it’s existential.
Murante expands on these themes in his article:
📄 ESG Investing Hurts the Poor and Empowers Tyrants – National Review
The Danger of Board-Aligned Voting
Murante warns that defaulting to board-aligned voting policies—like those offered by proxy advisors such as Glass Lewis—can lead to support for corporate commitments that blame agriculture for global warming. These policies often result in pension funds and public investments endorsing ESG proposals that conflict with the values and economic interests of agricultural states.
“We’re seeing consulting work being done now with states, and that’s something I wish I would have been able to serve for longer, because I absolutely would have found that information invaluable, to have an itemized list of how all of Nebraska’s proxy votes are being cast. Those sorts of alternatives are always going to be the way to go about things—legislation is the means of last resort. We shouldn’t be trying to fix these issues through the heavy hand of government. That’s what the other side does.”
— John Murante, Meeting of Minds Podcast, Ep. 107
Crypto: A Complement to Agriculture
Murante also defends the crypto industry against ESG attacks, especially regarding energy usage. He explains that crypto mining can be paused during peak energy demand, making it a flexible and efficient partner for agricultural states.
“Crypto miners are more than happy to shut down their power usage when power usage is at its peak capacity… In Nebraska, where we use center pivots to irrigate farmland, crypto can run during the off-season when those systems are idle. Everyone wins—farmers, utilities, and taxpayers.”
— John Murante
He also advocates for allowing individuals to invest in crypto through defined contribution plans and 529 plans, arguing that choice and transparency should guide fiduciary decisions.
A Call to Action
Murante’s message is clear: agricultural states must act now. It is time for state treasurers, auditors, and pension boards to commission a thorough audit of how their proxy votes are being cast. Are your public funds being used to support ESG proposals that harm your own farmers, ranchers, and food producers? We can help.
An itemized list of proxy votes is not just a transparency tool—it’s a defense mechanism. It’s time to ensure that your investments are not being used as weapons against your values and your industries.