1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for organic certification cost-share 
1.3 	assistance and sustainable agriculture demonstration grants.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE.
 1.6 	$275,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $275,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated 
1.7 	from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for annual cost-share payments 
1.8 	to resident farmers or persons who sell, process, or package agricultural products in this 
1.9 	state for the costs of organic certification. Annual cost-share payments per farmer must be 
1.10 	three-fourths of the cost of the certification or $500, whichever is less. In any year that a 
1.11 	resident farmer or person who sells, processes, or packages agricultural products in this 
1.12 	state receives a federal organic certification cost-share payment, that resident farmer 
1.13 	or person is not eligible for state cost-share payments. This appropriation is available 
1.14 	until expended. The commissioner may allocate any excess appropriation in either fiscal 
1.15 	year for organic producer education efforts, assistance for persons transitioning from 
1.16 	conventional to organic agriculture, or sustainable agriculture demonstration grants 
1.17 	authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.116, and pertaining to organic research or 
1.18 	demonstration.