House Agriculture Committee Chair Samantha Vang says a major focus for the committee is the nitrate contamination in southeastern Minnesota. “My intent for this year is really to listen to what ideas we have out there, I think it’s going to be a mixed approach and a balanced approach.” Governor Tim Walz’s supplemental budget proposal includes the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation or AGRI grants. AGRI grants are used for agricultural development programs, including biofuel infrastructure and livestock development. “Last year, we had one of the largest budget targets that the ag committee has ever received however, when AGRI was created they had a sunset date that was approaching and that created a hole that we had to fill,” said Vang. “This year the focus will be on making sure that AGRI continues to be whole so we don’t have to worry about the sunset.”
