By Scout Nelson
This Wednesday, the House Agriculture and Finance Committee made a decisive move by approving an omnibus finance bill that allocates a substantial increase to the state's agriculture budget. The new budget sets out a $169 million package for the upcoming two-year cycle, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous period and surpassing Governor Tim Walz's proposed $151 million for 2026-27.
Committee Chair Rep. Paul Anderson emphasized the urgency and broad impact of this legislation. “This bill funds some important, time-sensitive issues,” he noted. “We’re moving this bill through the committee to help quickly address livestock situations and emergency preparedness – things that can’t wait. I also am pleased with how this bill supports all kinds of farms, large and small, organic and conventional, rural and urban.”
The bill directs the lion's share of funding to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which will receive $145.7 million from the total General Fund appropriation. Other significant allocations include $13.5 million to the Board of Animal Health, $8.8 million to the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute, and $2 million to the Office of Broadband Development. These funds are aimed at bolstering various facets of the state’s agricultural framework, from animal health to research and technological advancements.
Having passed this crucial hurdle, the bill now advances to the House Ways and Means Committee, where it will undergo final reviews before reaching the full House for a vote. This step is essential as it paves the way for enhanced support and development across Minnesota’s diverse agricultural landscape, ensuring that the sector remains robust and capable of tackling both current and future challenges.
Photo Credits:minnesota-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy