HF2785 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Appropriation for the farm to school and early care program expanded, and eligibility for the farm to school and early care program modified.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
This bill seeks to enhance and expand funding for agricultural initiatives in Minnesota, with a focus on connecting local farms to schools and early childhood programs. It aims to modify and extend the eligibility criteria for participation in the farm to school and early care program.
Main Provisions
- Increased Funding: The bill allocates additional funds to various agricultural programs, notably for farm to school and early care initiatives, to improve the supply of local produce, dairy, and meats to educational settings.
- Enhanced Eligibility: It modifies eligibility criteria for schools and child care providers to receive grants, requiring participation in federal nutrition programs and sourcing at least 70% of food from Minnesota, prioritizing farmers with limited market access.
- Research and Development Support: Funds are set aside for agricultural research, including projects such as wild rice breeding, potato breeding, and investigating turkey-related diseases.
- Infrastructure and Market Expansion: The bill supports infrastructure improvements to promote biofuel usage, provides financial backing to meat processing facilities, and encourages renewable energy use within agriculture.
- Educational Grants: Provides grants for developing education programs related to agriculture, including meat cutting and butchery courses, especially in collaboration with state colleges and local industries.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Funding Expansion: Substantially increases the budget for farm to school and early care programs to enhance local food integration into school meals.
- Broadened Eligibility: Adjusts the criteria for grant recipients to ensure a stronger local economic impact and support for smaller, local farms.
- Reporting and Accountability: Introduces detailed reporting requirements for the use of funds and the impact of grants, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Relevant Terms
- Farm to School Program
- Eligibility Criteria
- Local Sourcing
- Agricultural Research
- Biofuels
- Infrastructure Grants
- Educational Programming
- Renewable Energy
- Meat Processing Facilities
- Dairy Assistance
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Agriculture Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Updated funding allocations and program administration specifics."
],
"removed": [
"Certain prior year funding benchmarks."
],
"summary": "This section relates to funding and transfer allocations for agricultural research, education, extension, and technology transfer programs.",
"modified": [
"Specification of expenditure allowances and prohibitions against supplanting existing funding."
]
},
"citation": "41A.14",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Additional funding towards rapid response initiatives."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This defines the rapid response fund allocations for Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Stations.",
"modified": [
"Clarifications on the scope of diseases covered, focusing on avian influenza and similar threats."
]
},
"citation": "41A.14",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New allocations for market expansion and infrastructure enhancements."
],
"removed": [
"Old reporting metrics."
],
"summary": "Provides guidelines for the agricultural growth, research, and innovation program funding allocation.",
"modified": [
"Details on funding preferences and cost usage guidelines."
]
},
"citation": "41A.12",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Detailed requirements for grant eligibility focused on dispensing biofuels."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to biofuel replacement goals and corresponding infrastructure grants.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted max allowable grants for equipment upgrades."
]
},
"citation": "239.7911",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification on proportional administrative cost use."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Standard provisions for administrative cost allowances related to appropriations.",
"modified": [
"Percentage caps for administrative expenditure."
]
},
"citation": "16B.98",
"subdivision": "subdivision 14"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extended availability terms for specific appropriations."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to the cancellation periods of appropriations and their availability.",
"modified": [
"Flexibility for funding expiry and reallocation."
]
},
"citation": "16A.28",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee