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Minnesota Farm Groups Applaud Governor’s Proposed Ag, Board of Water & Soil Resources Budgets 

Proposal Would Invest Tens of Millions of Dollars into Building Resiliency in Farm & Food System, Climate, Economy

January 27, 2022

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SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Three Minnesota farm groups are applauding Governor Tim Walz’s budget proposals for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Board of Water and Soil Resources, which were released this week. The proposals strongly align with the vision for a thriving, abundant, and resilient countryside shared by the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA), and the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA), said leaders of these three groups.

The proposal includes:

• $12 million for a Minnesota Department of Agriculture healthy soils program to provide grants and technical assistance to landowners, local governments and other organizations.

• $26 million for a Board of Water and Soil Resources healthy soils program to provide grants and technical assistance to landowners, local governments and other organizations to plant cover crops, enroll conservation tillage, purchase equipment, purchase seed and amendments, or implement other field-scale conservation practices.

• $22 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

• $3 million for the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative to create four pilot programs to establish supply chains for year-round crops, which will include risk management, post-production, processing, distribution and marketing.

• $2 million for services for Black, brown, and Indigenous producers and businesses.

• $1 million for Food and Agriculture Systems Planning Grants to local governments, regional planning organizations, and tribes to implement agriculture economic development plans, such as amendments to zoning ordinances, adding co-packing and community kitchens, and providing land to disadvantaged farmers.

• $500,000 for providing scholarships to agriculture workers involved in mediation and urban and specialty crops.

• $3 million for grants to livestock processors to purchase equipment and expand facilities.

• $1.5 million for meat processing employee recruitment and retention incentives.

•  $5 million for drought relief to livestock and specialty crop farmers.

• $5 million for Rural Finance Authority loans for drought, including for small and beginning farmers.

“Small scale immigrant and emerging farmers are vital to our local food system and we are proud to have the Governor’s agricultural budget support and recognize their effort,” said Hmong American Farmers Association executive director Janssen Hang. “This proposal provides equitable access and  opportunities for emerging farmers to be innovative in their approach, while enhancing and building a stronger, vibrant food and farming economy.

In the face of extreme weather, degrading topsoil, and economic challenges, major public investments in farming that provides public benefits will pay off now and well into the future, according to Hannah Bernhardt, a Pine County livestock farmer and member of the Land Stewardship Project’s Soil Health & Climate Steering Committee.

“Farmers deserve to have all the resources and support they need to build the health of their soil,” she said. “The Governor’s proposal is an investment in the resiliency of the land, the economic viability of our farmers and rural communities, and the health of our climate and water.”

The COVID-19 pandemic also pulled back the curtain to reveal how fragile our food system currently is. Expanding local and regional processing and markets is more important than ever, according to Kathy Zeman, executive director of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association.

“We are super appreciative that Governor Walz’s administration and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture asked for input and listened to the concerns and needs of Minnesota’s food farmers and food makers,” she said. “This budget proposal includes solid support across our foodshed that will help make Minnesota much more resilient in growing food and feeding our people. We look forward to the conversations to secure this funding.”

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Category: News Releases
Tags: BWSR • Gov. Tim Walz • Hmong American Farmers Association • local meat processing • Minnesota Department of Agriculture • Minnesota Farmers' Market Association • Minnesota Legislature • regional food systems • soil health • SWCD

Contact

Amanda Koehler, LSP policy manager, e-mail, 612-400-6355

 

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July 2025

Friday July 18

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Lac qui Parle County
Friday July 18
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Lac qui Parle County
1174 295th Ave, Dawson, MN 56232

Details are here.

Tuesday July 22

9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Sartell
Tuesday July 22
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Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Sartell
2611 17th St N, Sartell, MN 56377, USA

Details are here.

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Tuesday July 22
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Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Far North Spirits, 2045 220th Avenue, Hallock, MN 56728, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
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  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
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7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Agrivoltaics: Growing Forages & grain Crops
Tuesday July 22
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Agrivoltaics: Growing Forages & grain Crops
Online Webinar

This free webinar series is about cattle and sheep solar grazing and growing forages or grain crops under solar panels.

The practice of grazing livestock under solar panels has become increasingly popular. It is often referred to as agrivoltaics or solar grazing. This system involves the use of land for both solar energy production and livestock grazing or crop production. In this session, Sabrina Florentino will talk about forage production research and the Rauenhorst Farm Agrivoltaics Project on growing row crops under solar panels.

To register, click here. 

Wednesday July 23

9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Villard
Wednesday July 23
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Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Villard
15290 127th St, Villard, MN 56385, USA

Details are here.

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