SF 1750

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 05/23/2019 10:01am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; agriculture; appropriating money for agricultural
research and extension.

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

Section 1. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA; AGRICULTURE SPECIAL
APPROPRIATION.

(a) $52,922,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $52,922,000 in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated
from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for agricultural
research and extension. Of the amount appropriated each year:

(1) $2,500,000 each year is for the Forever Green Initiative to protect the state's natural
resources while increasing the efficiency, profitability, and productivity of Minnesota farmers
by incorporating perennial and winter-annual crops into existing agricultural practices;

(2) $2,500,000 each year is for the agriculture research, education, extension, and
technology transfer program under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, and is in addition
to other money appropriated or transferred by law for this purpose during the 2019 regular
legislative session;

(3) $2,500,000 each year is for Minnesota Extension regional economic sustainability
programming; and

(4) $2,500,000 each year is to increase funding for the rapid agricultural response fund
for current or emerging animal, plant, and insect problems affecting agricultural production
or food safety, including but not limited to African swine fever, chronic wasting disease,
and emerald ash borer.

To the greatest extent practicable, the Board of Regents must match the funding specified
under clauses (1) to (4) with a like amount of nonstate money for the same purposes.

(b) The remainder of the money appropriated each year under paragraph (a) is governed
as follows:

(1) the agricultural experiment stations and Minnesota Extension must convene
agricultural advisory groups to focus research, education, and extension activities on producer
needs and implement an outreach strategy that more effectively and rapidly transfers research
results and best practices to producers throughout the state;

(2) the appropriation each year includes funding for research and outreach on the
production of renewable energy from Minnesota biomass resources, including agronomic
crops, plant and animal wastes, and native plants or trees. The following areas should be
prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota producers, renewable energy,
and bioenergy organizations:

(i) biofuel and other energy production from perennial crops, small grains, row crops,
and forestry products in conjunction with the Natural Resources Research Institute;

(ii) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and

(iii) biofuel coproducts used for livestock feed;

(3) the appropriation each year includes funding for the College of Food, Agricultural,
and Natural Resources Sciences to establish and provide leadership for organic agronomic,
horticultural, livestock, and food systems research, education, and outreach and for the
purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory, planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing equipment
necessary for this project; and

(4) the appropriation each year includes funding for research efforts that demonstrate a
renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's agriculture community. The following areas
must be prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota farm organizations:

(i) vegetable crop research with priority for extending the Minnesota vegetable growing
season;

(ii) fertilizer and soil fertility research and development;

(iii) soil, groundwater, and surface water conservation practices and contaminant reduction
research;

(iv) discovering and developing plant varieties that use nutrients more efficiently;

(v) breeding and development of turf seed and other biomass resources in all three
Minnesota biomes;

(vi) development of new disease-resistant and pest-resistant varieties of turf and
agronomic crops;

(vii) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat and cure human diseases;

(viii) the development of dairy coproducts;

(ix) a rapid agricultural response fund for current or emerging animal, plant, and insect
problems affecting production or food safety;

(x) crop pest and animal disease research;

(xi) developing animal agriculture that is capable of sustainably feeding the world;

(xii) consumer food safety education and outreach;

(xiii) programs to meet the research and outreach needs of organic livestock and crop
farmers; and

(xiv) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems and growing, harvesting, and
transporting biomass plant material.

(c) By February 1, 2021, the Board of Regents must submit a report to the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and higher education finance
on the status and outcomes of research and initiatives funded in this section.