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Minnesota House approves ag budget investments

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation Tuesday that would boost investments in agriculture and food production.

House Ag Committee chair Mike Sundin, a Democrat from Esko, calls the budget proposal historic.

“We made a conscious effort to look forward and invest in opportunities that a changing world presents.”

He says the dollars build on established programs in traditional production agriculture, target undeveloped areas, and respond to critical issues.

Specifically, the legislation supports soil health improvements, noxious weed eradication, farmers markets, and small meat processors.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman says agriculture is one of the pillars of the state’s economy and Minnesota’s farmers deserve resources to not only recover from recent crises but to prosper over the long term.

The Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote on their budget bill next week, with negotiations in conference committee likely to follow.