An attempt to attach a DNR drought relief package to a proposal to assist farmers and ranchers is facing opposition in the Minnesota Legislature. The conflict centers on combining assistance for agriculture with support for a state agency. During the Fosston Farm Forum, Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said action is needed now. “We really need to pass that bill in the next bill in the next week whether it has the DNR piece attached to it or not, because it will take months to get checks out to farmers or for farmers to apply,” said Petersen. “We have to do a RFP (request for proposal), farmers have to apply and we have to cut the checks. Even if we do it by March 1, the soonest we’d get money to people would be April 1.” The entire KKCQ Farm Forum can be found online.
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