SF 2228

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 08/03/2021 02:56pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing an emerging farmer account; funding an
emerging farmer office and outreach coordinator; appropriating money for emerging
farmer grants; transferring money; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes
2020, section 17.055, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Emerging farmer account. new text end

new text begin An emerging farmer account is established in the
agricultural fund. The account consists of money appropriated by law, and any other money
donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account,
including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and
must be used to further the objectives of the emerging farmer working group and to support
the emerging farmer office in the Department of Agriculture.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $50,000 in fiscal year 2023 are transferred from the
general fund to the emerging farmer account under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055,
subdivision 1a.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EMERGING FARMER OFFICE.
new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture to establish an emerging farmer office and
hire a full-time emerging farmer outreach coordinator. The emerging farmer outreach
coordinator must connect ethnic minority and immigrant farmers to farming opportunities
and farming programs throughout the state.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; HMONG AMERICAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION.
new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Hmong American Farmers
Association to support emerging farmers. No later than January 15, 2022, and January 15,
2023, the Hmong American Farmers Association must report grant activity and outcomes
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATION; LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Latino Economic
Development Center to support emerging farmers. No later than January 15, 2022, and
January 15, 2023, the Latino Economic Development Center must report grant activity and
outcomes to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin APPROPRIATION; BIPOC EMERGING FARMER COMPETITIVE
GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $200,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants of up to $75,000 to support
emerging farmers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color and emerging farmer
organizations led by persons who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. No later than
January 15, 2022, and January 15, 2023, the commissioner must report grant activity and
outcomes to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
new text end