The final agriculture bill in the Minnesota Legislature extends the Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Council through 2030. The House bill would have allowed AFREC to expire in 2025 and divert the 40-cent per ton fee on fertilizer purchases for a new private well water assistance program for southeastern Minnesota. The Senate wanted to extend AFREC for another ten years. The compromise bill requires the council to develop best management practices for areas where water is vulnerable to nitrate losses. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam praised the negotiation process in the conference committee. “So often in politics, we think what makes things happen is passion, but, in truth, it’s patience,” said Putnam. “This is the result of patience, grace and thoughtfulness; I’m very proud of this bill.”
