Purpose of the Bill

The bill is aimed at supporting aspiring farmers from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities by providing financial resources and educational opportunities. The ultimate goal is to help these farmers gain equitable access to farming resources and skills, hence boosting food production that is affordable and of high quality.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill allocates $150,000 annually for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota's general fund to the Women's Environmental Institute. This funding supports the development of a farming incubator project.

• Support for Farmers: The funds are intended to provide direct grants to farmers facing limited land access. These grants will cover costs such as land rental, seeds, compost, irrigation, farm equipment, and marketing. It also includes transportation, certification for organic produce, and other related expenses.

• Project Administration and Coordination: A portion of the funds will cover administrative, outreach, and recruitment costs and the hiring of a project coordinator for the farming incubator.

• Infrastructure and Equipment: Funds will be used to develop additional farming infrastructure at the Women's Environmental Institute and to provide necessary farming production supplies, food processing equipment, and space for the project participants.

• Training and Education: The project will offer education and training in regenerative organic farming methods, covering areas such as food safety, farm finances, budgeting, compost and organic soil health, and marketing.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces targeted financial assistance and resource allocation to aspiring BIPOC farmers. It specifies that one-third of the funds must support farmers outside the seven-county metropolitan area, promoting agricultural development in more rural parts of Minnesota.

Relevant Terms

• Women’s Environmental Institute
• Farming Incubator Project
• BIPOC Farmers
• Organic Farming
• Regenerative Agriculture
• Fiscal Appropriation
• Minnesota General Fund