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Walz budget includes major biofuel and soil health investments

The budget proposed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz includes significant investments in biofuels and soil health.

Speaking to Brownfield during the MN Ag Expo in Mankato last week, Walz said there is $6 million to build out biofuel infrastructure and $4 million for soil health initiatives.

“I think this whole budget will probably be north of $100 million, we’ve not seen anything like that. And at the same time reducing property tax burdens on those folks.”

He suggests a sizable portion of the budget surplus has come from the hard work of Minnesotans in the ag community.

“Now is the time to reinvest. And again, all those peripheral things for rural America, roads, bridges, infrastructure. I just heard from the mayor of Mankato talking about water treatments plants, those types of things are going to be in this budget and that makes these strong communities.”

Two of Minnesota’s leading farm organizations are pleased with the ag budget recommended by Governor Walz.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says farmers are the engines that power rural economic growth and the proposal will add fuel to grow the rural economy.

Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing says many of the items members wanted to see addressed are also priorities for Walz and he looks forward to working with the Governor and other leaders to make sure agriculture is driven forward.