Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed legislation funding the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Board of Animal Health and Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. “It addresses things like agricultural emergencies, like high-path avian influenza, support for E15 infrastructure, meat processing, farm to school programs; all important things that will really help our agency run well,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “I couldn’t be happier.” The bill also includes an additional $500,000 for the state’s farm down payment assistance program, which helps farmers purchase their first farm. Highlights also include funding for rural mental health and farm safety, wolf and elk depredation programs, the Farm Business Management program and the biofuels infrastructure grants. The ag bill takes effect July 1.
