EAGAN, Minn.آ – The 93rd session of the Minnesota legislature adjourned on Monday, May 20, 2024. Throughout the session, Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFBF) worked closely with elected officials, agency representatives and the governor’s office to ensure the vitality of agriculture and rural communities across the state.
“This session we continued to build on our relationships with both sides of the aisle to advance policies that will help secure the role of agriculture in Minnesota,†said MFBF President Dan Glessing. “In order to understand what our members face day-to-day and develop practical solutions, we appreciate the time taken by legislators to listen to their concerns, even during difficult conversations.
“Thanks to Senate Agriculture Chair Aric Putnam, House Agriculture Chair Samantha Vang, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Governor Tim Walz and several other key legislators for their support throughout.â€
MFBF had a presence at the capitol every day during the session, providing testimony and meeting with elected officials. On National Ag Day in March, over 150 members met with their elected officials to showcase agriculture’s impact on the state economy. Several members also hosted events and organized farm tours in their districts to provide a first-hand perspective and share their stories with legislators.
The MFBF Board of Directors set its 2024 priority issues with guidance from its grassroots membership, focusing on: Beginning and emerging farmers, sustainability, rural vitality, research and investment, and energy and resource preservation. Highlights from the session relating to those priority issues and advancing agriculture and rural communities overall include:
- Agricultural Growth Research Investment (AGRI) program funding
- Agricultural Fertilizer Research Education Council (AFREC) program funding
- Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) program funding
- Meat cutting and butchery training grants
- Soil Health Equipment Grants
- Extension of Food Safety and Defense Task Force
- Support for beginning and emerging farmers
- Farm to School program expansion
- Manure equipment grants
- Livestock Protection Grants
The Minnesota Farm Bureau also worked on speaking up against several unfavorable policy proposals, including: Additional feedlot permitting regulations, public water inventory expansion, fertilizer tax increase, drain tile disclosure during land sales and a ban on bird hatching in schools.
About the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation
To ensure Minnesota’s agricultural vitality, the Minnesota Farm Bureau amplifies its members’ voices through engagement, grassroots advocacy and agricultural awareness. Learn more about our efforts as an advocate for our over 30,000 members and 78 county and regional Farm Bureaus atآ .
