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Minnesota House passes Agriculture Budget

The Minnesota House approved the Agriculture Budget Bill Thursday.

Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee chair Samantha Vang said during the floor session she is proud to present a comprehensive balanced budget that represents both rural and urban farmers, big and small farmers, and for the environment and sustainability of agriculture.

“Whether it’s protecting farmers, ensuring our soil remains healthy, or providing food for every Minnesotan, we are making sure Minnesota is a national leader.”

The $48 million ag budget passed on a 70 to 58 vote.

The Senate approved its ag budget bill earlier this month and Vang tells Brownfield differences will need to be ironed out in conference committee, including restrictions on pesticide use.

“Where in our bill we look at how can we balance the need of making sure we protect pollinators and improve the quality of our soils, while also looking at how we can balance the regulation of pesticides too.”

Both the House and Senate ag budgets establish a Grain Indemnity Fund to protect farmers from grain elevator failures.