HF 2770

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 03:22pm

A resolution
memorializing Congress to devolve agricultural policy making to the states and
transition federal farm support to a system of state block grants.

WHEREAS, the federal government, due to its significant financial resources and its role
in buttressing the agricultural economy during the Great Depression, dominates agricultural
policy making in this country;

WHEREAS, too often, federal agricultural policy reflects the influence of powerful special
interests and incentivizes farmers to make management decisions that sully our waters, destroy
wildlife habitat, and benefit large agribusinesses at the expense of family farmers, taxpayers,
and future generations; and

WHEREAS, current federal agricultural programs, and the distribution of funding among
these programs, do not reflect the will of the people of Minnesota to encourage sustainable
agricultural production which feeds the country, provides a suitable standard of living for farmers,
protects and restores the soil and water that farmers rely upon, and delivers the clean water that
our farmers' neighbors and those living downstream have the right to expect; and

WHEREAS, Minnesotans have demonstrated that agricultural profitability and natural
resource conservation need not be mutually exclusive; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Minnesota value clean water, as evidenced by passage of
the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy constitutional amendment adopted by voters in November
2008; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota and other states have unique agricultural visions and aspirations
that would be better served by elevating the states' role in agricultural policy making; NOW,
THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it urges the President
and the Congress of the United States to devolve United States agricultural policy making to the
states via a system of block grants that empower Minnesota and other states to harness the federal
government's substantial resources to promote and sustain an agricultural economy that reflects
each state's unique agricultural vision, challenges, and opportunities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United
States, the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of
the United States House of Representatives, the chairs and ranking members of the congressional
committees with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and appropriations, and Minnesota's Senators
and Representatives in Congress.