1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for organic agriculture transition 
1.3 	grants.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; ORGANIC TRANSITION GRANTS.
 1.6 	$....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.7 	of agriculture for grants of up to $....... to farmers who demonstrate financial hardship 
1.8 	due to the three-year transition period required under federal law for organic certification. 
1.9 	This appropriation is in addition to funds appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture 
1.10 	and available for organic certification cost-share grants under Laws 2015, First Special 
1.11 	Session chapter 4, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3. The commissioner may award both a 
1.12 	transition grant and a certification cost-share grant to a farmer in the same fiscal year.