HF 3902

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; changing an appropriation; amending Laws 2007, chapter
45, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2007, chapter 45, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Agricultural Marketing and Development

8,547,000

5,157,000

$186,000 the first year and $186,000 the
second year are for transfer to the Minnesota
grown account and may be used as grants
for Minnesota grown promotion under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.102. Grants
may be made for one year. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2009, for Minnesota grown
grants in this paragraph are available until
June 30, 2011. $50,000 of the appropriation
in each year is for efforts that identify
and promote Minnesota grown products
in retail food establishments including but
not limited to restaurants, grocery stores,
and convenience stores. The balance in the
Minnesota grown matching account in the
agricultural fund is canceled to the Minnesota
grown account in the agricultural fund and
the Minnesota grown matching account is
abolished.

$160,000 the first year and $160,000 the
second year are for grants to farmers for
demonstration projects involving sustainable
agriculture as authorized in Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.116. Of the amount
for grants, up to $20,000 may be used for
dissemination of information about the
demonstration projects. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
appropriations encumbered under contract
on or before June 30, 2009, for sustainable
agriculture grants in this paragraph are
available until June 30, 2011.

$100,000 the first year and $100,000
the second year are to provide training
and technical assistance to county and
town officials relating to livestock siting
issues and local zoning and land use
planning, including a checklist template that
would clarify the federal, state, and local
government requirements for consideration
of an animal agriculture modernization
or expansion project. In developing
the training and technical assistance
program, the commissioner shall seek
guidance, advice, and support of livestock
producer organizations, general agricultural
organizations, local government associations,
academic institutions, other government
agencies, and others with expertise in land
use and agriculture.

$103,000 the first year and $106,000 the
second year are for additional integrated pest
management activities.

$2,500,000 the first year is for the agricultural
best management practices loan program. At
least $2,000,000 is available for pass-through
to local governments and lenders for
low-interest loans. new text begin Any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available for the second year.
new text end

$1,000,000 the first year is for the agricultural
best management practices loan program for
capital equipment loans for persons using
native, perennial cropping systems for energy
or seed production. This appropriation is
available until spent. * (The preceding text
beginning "$1,000,000 the first year" was
indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are for annual cost-share
payments to resident farmers or persons
who sell, process, or package agricultural
products in this state for the costs of organic
certification. Annual cost-share payments
per farmer must be two-thirds of the cost
of the certification or $350, whichever is
less. In any year that a resident farmer or
person who sells, processes, or packages
agricultural products in this state receives
a federal organic certification cost-share
payment, that resident farmer or person is
not eligible for state cost-share payments.
A certified farmer is eligible to receive
annual certification cost-share payments for
up to five years. $15,000 each year is for
organic market and program development.
The commissioner may allocate any excess
appropriation in either fiscal year for organic
producer education efforts, assistance for
persons transitioning from conventional
to organic agriculture, or sustainable
agriculture demonstration grants authorized
under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.116,
and pertaining to organic research or
demonstration. Any unencumbered balance
does not cancel at the end of the first year
and is available for the second year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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