1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money to the Board of Regents of the 
1.3 	University of Minnesota for the agriculture experiment station and the Minnesota 
1.4 	Extension Service; requiring a report.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION SERVICE; 
1.7 	UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.
 1.8 	(a) $....... in fiscal year 2012 and $....... in fiscal year 2013 are appropriated from the 
1.9 	general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the agriculture 
1.10 	experiment station and the Minnesota Extension Service.
1.11 	(b) The agricultural experiment stations and Minnesota Extension Service must 
1.12 	convene agricultural advisory groups to focus research, education, and extension activities 
1.13 	on producer needs and implement an outreach strategy that more effectively and rapidly 
1.14 	transfers research results and best practices to producers throughout the state.
1.15 	(c) This appropriation includes funding for research and outreach on the production 
1.16 	of renewable energy from Minnesota biomass resources, including agronomic crops, 
1.17 	plant and animal wastes, and native plants or trees. The following areas should be 
1.18 	prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota producers, renewable energy, 
1.19 	and bioenergy organizations:
1.20 	(1) biofuel and other energy production from perennial crops, small grains, row 
1.21 	crops, and forestry products in conjunction with the Natural Resources Research Institute 
1.22 	(NRRI);
1.23 	(2) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and
1.24 	(3) biofuel coproducts used for livestock feed.
2.1 	(d) This appropriation includes funding for the College of Food, Agricultural, and 
2.2 	Natural Resources Sciences to establish and provide leadership for organic agronomic, 
2.3 	horticultural, livestock, and food systems research, education, and outreach and for 
2.4 	the purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory, planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing 
2.5 	equipment necessary for this project.
2.6 	(e) This appropriation includes funding for research efforts that demonstrate a 
2.7 	renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's agriculture community. The following areas 
2.8 	should be prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota farm organizations:
2.9 	(1) vegetable crop research with priority for extending the Minnesota vegetable 
2.10 	growing season;
2.11 	(2) fertilizer and soil fertility research and development;
2.12 	(3) soil, groundwater, and surface water conservation practices and contaminant 
2.13 	reduction research;
2.14 	(4) discovering and developing plant varieties that use nutrients more efficiently;
2.15 	(5) breeding and development of turf seed and other biomass resources in all three 
2.16 	Minnesota biomes;
2.17 	(6) development of new disease-resistant and pest-resistant varieties of turf and 
2.18 	agronomic crops;
2.19 	(7) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat and cure human diseases;
2.20 	(8) the development of dairy coproducts;
2.21 	(9) a rapid agricultural response fund for current or emerging animal, plant, and 
2.22 	insect problems affecting production or food safety;
2.23 	(10) crop pest and animal disease research;
2.24 	(11) developing animal agriculture that is capable of sustainably feeding the world;
2.25 	(12) consumer food safety education and outreach;
2.26 	(13) programs to meet the research and outreach needs of organic livestock and 
2.27 	crop farmers; and
2.28 	(14) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and growing, harvesting, 
2.29 	and transporting biomass plant material.
2.30 	(f) By February 1, 2013, the Board of Regents must submit a report to the legislative 
2.31 	committees with responsibility for agriculture and higher education finance on the status 
2.32 	and outcomes of research and initiatives funded in this section.