Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) -A group gathered in Duluth at the Whole Foods Co-op on 4th Street to encourage congress to help struggling farmers.

The group, which spear-headed the protests, is called Food and Water Watch.

As the group stood outside the Whole Foods Co-op they encouraged patrons to help them out by making a phone call.

"Senator Klobuchar is on the Senate Agriculture Committee and she really has the ability to take a stand and actually make a difference in whether or not these fair farm rules get implemented," said Emily Reuman with Food and Water Watch.

In 2008 the Fair Farm Bill was passed and included new reforms that would help protect small farmers from large companies like Cargill, Tyson, and Monsanto.

But Food and Water Watch says those fair farm rules have not yet been implemented.

Amy Klobuchar's senate staff responded to the charge saying that the senator has consistently fought for support for small farmers and producers.

They pointed to Senator Klobuchar's fight for strong income caps on federal subsidies and her efforts to make sure support goes to family farmers and not millionaires.

Staff with the senator say she will continue to work to ensure small farmers and producers have the tools they need to succeed.

But protesters say they need community support to push these reforms through.

"Farmers are declining in numbers which means their power base; their influence with the legislative body has diminished greatly. To do anything about these issues it's going to take consumers being on the side of farmers," said Kin Lindberg, who helped out by giving the senator a call.

Food and Water Watch says influence from big corporations impacts not only small farmers, but consumers as well.

"When business has control over our food system it gives consumers less access to safe healthy and affordable food and it leaves small farmers in a place where they can't make a profit," said Reuman.

Other protests to encourage Congressional calls were held in Minneapolis and Rochester.

Food and Water Watch hopes to schedule a meeting with Klobuchar's staff to further discuss the fair farm rules.