HF 4281

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/26/2024 02:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a youth in agriculture grant program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
17.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [17.1075] YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Eligible youth" means young people ages eight to 18 who have written consent
from a parent or guardian to participate in the youth in agriculture grant program.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, hinnies,
goats, buffalo, llamas, or poultry.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with University
of Minnesota Extension, must implement a youth in agriculture grant program through the
Rural Finance Authority. The commissioner may award grants of up to $2,500 to eligible
youth to purchase livestock or equipment to be used by the youth to produce an agricultural
crop. Before receiving a grant, eligible youth must develop an agricultural business plan
approved by the youth's local University of Minnesota Extension office and complete
livestock quality assurance training or other applicable training as identified and approved
by the youth's local University of Minnesota Extension office. As a condition of receiving
a grant, for the first 12 months the youth must meet at least monthly with local University
of Minnesota Extension staff or another person approved by local University of Minnesota
Extension staff.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must not require youth who receive a grant under this section to
repay any part of the grant if the youth's approved business plan cannot be fully implemented
due to a hard freeze, natural death of livestock, or other factors that are beyond the youth's
control as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the youth's local University
of Minnesota Extension office.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may award up to three grants to a single recipient, with no more
than one grant awarded to a recipient each grant cycle.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of agriculture to award youth in agriculture grants under section
1.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end