Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to allocate financial resources to support agricultural conservation and research in Minnesota. It specifically focuses on preserving the genetic diversity of heritage oilseeds and grains that were commonly used in the state before 1970.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill proposes an appropriation of $500,000 from the general fund for the fiscal year 2026. This money is designated to support efforts in evaluating, propagating, and maintaining the genetic diversity of various plants.

• Targeted Crops: The funding will cover oilseeds, grains, grasses, legumes, and other plants including flax, timothy, barley, rye, triticale, alfalfa, orchard grass, clover, and similar species and varieties. This is focused on plants that were in commercial use in Minnesota before 1970.

• Exclusion and Additional Focus: While excluding wild rice, the funds will also be used to protect traditional seeds brought to Minnesota by immigrant communities.

• Educational Outreach: The appropriation includes provisions for extension services and outreach programs aimed at small farmers and farmers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), to support their involvement in these agricultural practices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new appropriation specifically for the conservation of agricultural diversity in Minnesota, with a unique emphasis on heritage crops and supporting BIPOC communities in farming.

Relevant Terms

heritage oilseeds, grains, genetic diversity, extension, outreach, small farmers, BIPOC, crops before 1970, immigrant communities, University of Minnesota, appropriation, agriculture conservation.