1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; permitting the commissioner of agriculture to accept 
1.3 	donations on behalf of the emerging farmer working group; providing an emerging 
1.4 	farmer account; transferring money to the emerging farmer account;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Emerging farmer working group. (a) To advise the commissioner and 
1.9 	legislature regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that 
1.10 	support emerging farmers in this state, the commissioner must periodically convene a 
1.11 	working group consisting, to the extent possible, of persons who are, and organizations that 
1.12 	represent, farmers or aspiring farmers who are women, veterans, persons with disabilities, 
1.13 	American Indian or Alaskan Natives, members of a community of color, young, and urban, 
1.14 	and any other emerging farmers as determined by the commissioner. No later than January 
1.15 	15 each year, the commissioner must update the chairs and ranking minority members of 
1.16 	the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the 
1.17 	working group's activities and recommendations.
1.18 	(b) The commissioner is authorized to accept for and on behalf of the state donations of 
1.19 	money or services or other assistance or gifts from public or private sources for the purpose 
1.20 	of furthering the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.

2.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
2.2 	read:
2.3 		Subd. 1a.Emerging farmer account. An emerging farmer account is established in the 
2.4 	agricultural fund. The account consists of money appropriated by law, and any other money 
2.5 	donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account, 
2.6 	including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and 
2.7 	must be used to further the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.

2.8 	Sec. 3. TRANSFER.
 2.9 	$10,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $10,000 in fiscal year 2023 are transferred from the 
2.10 	general fund to the emerging farmer account under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055, 
2.11 	subdivision 1a.