1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for organic certification cost-share
assistance and sustainable agriculture demonstration grants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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$275,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $275,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture 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
three-fourths of the cost of the certification or $500, 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. This appropriation is available
until expended. 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.
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