SF 2231

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/23/2021 08:28am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; permitting the commissioner of agriculture to accept
donations on behalf of the emerging farmer working group; providing an emerging
farmer account; transferring money to the emerging farmer account; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Emerging farmer working group.

new text begin (a) new text end To advise the commissioner and
legislature regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that
support emerging farmers in this state, the commissioner must periodically convene a
working group consisting, to the extent possible, of persons who are, and organizations that
represent, farmers or aspiring farmers who are women, veterans, persons with disabilities,
American Indian or Alaskan Natives, members of a community of color, young, and urban,
and any other emerging farmers as determined by the commissioner. No later than January
15 each year, the commissioner must update the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the
working group's activities and recommendations.

new text begin (b) The commissioner is authorized to accept for and on behalf of the state donations of
money or services or other assistance or gifts from public or private sources for the purpose
of furthering the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.
new text end

Sec. 2.

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.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin $10,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $10,000 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