Bill > SF5073

This bill appropriates funds and modifies agriculture policy for the fiscal year 2026 and beyond. * **Agricultural Utilization Research Institute:** $80,000 from the General Fund is appropriated for legal costs. This is a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2029. * **Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct Advancement:** This program receives significant funding across multiple fiscal years for research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Key allocations include: * $10,702,000 annually for the agriculture research, education, extension, and technology transfer program. * Specific funding for avian influenza and salmonella research ($1,000,000 annually), agricultural education ($2,250,000 annually), potato breeding ($350,000 annually), and the Forever Green Initiative ($802,000 annually). * $23,332,000 in the first year and $27,457,000 in the second year for the agricultural growth, research, and innovation program. This includes grants for county fairs ($1,000,000 annually), incentive payments ($5,750,000 annually), biofuels infrastructure ($3,375,000 annually), meat/poultry/egg/milk processing facilities ($1,250,000 annually), farm-to-institution programs ($1,150,000 annually), urban youth agricultural education ($2,000,000 in the second year), and the good food access program ($1,000,000 annually). * **Administration and Financial Assistance:** This category includes various grants and programs: * Payments to county and district agricultural societies and associations ($474,000 annually). * Grants to the Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council ($350,000 annually). * Grants for food banks, including milk purchases ($1,950,000 annually) and surplus commodity recovery. * Funding for mental health outreach and support for farmers ($100,000 annually). * Support for the Emerging Farmers Office ($750,000 annually). * Farm advocate services ($337,000 annually). * IT modernization efforts ($1,084,000 in the first year and $500,000 in the second year). * Down payment assistance grants for farmers ($1,000,000 annually). * **Protection Services:** * Funding for the voluntary cleanup program ($399,000 annually). * Soil health financial assistance program ($639,000 annually). * Compensation for livestock destroyed or crippled by wolves ($275,000 in the first year and $250,000 in the second year). * Compensation for crop or fence damage caused by elk ($255,000 in the first year and $230,000 in the second year). * Funding for additional meat and poultry inspection services ($750,000 annually). * Grants to counties for agricultural inspectors ($500,000 annually). * **Agricultural Marketing and Development:** * Dairy development and profitability enhancement program ($634,000 annually). * Local food purchasing assistance grant program ($700,000 annually). * Funding for the agricultural growth, research, and innovation program ($18,257,000 in the first year and $18,007,000 in the second year), with specific allocations for county fairs, incentive payments, biofuels infrastructure, meat/poultry/egg/milk processing facilities, and farm-to-institution programs. * **Seed Potato Certification:** Significant changes are made to the seed potato certification program, including updated definitions, inspection processes, class requirements, and grading standards. * **Other Provisions:** The bill also includes provisions related to agroforestry loan programs, food handler licensing fees, and the donation of eggs past their quality assurance date.