Omnibus Agriculture Funding Bill Passes Another Committee With Near Unanimous Support

(KNSI) — The Senate agriculture omnibus bill passed through another committee Wednesday with near unanimous bipartisan support.

The Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee gave the green light for $100 million to help farmers in greater Minnesota with broadband access, soil health and livestock.

“The Senate Agriculture Committee is often bipartisan, but this session has been uniquely focused on solving problems instead of partisan bickering,” said St. Cloud area Senator Aric Putnam. “Today we proved that character when we passed this bill without a single ‘no’ vote. As the Agriculture Chair, I have traveled across the state, hosted listening sessions, and heard the voice of the farmer. The provisions in this bill came from those conversations. This bill will help farmers and will speed the development of rural Minnesota. We’re investing $100 million to bring broadband to the least served, supporting programs with a proven record, and creating new opportunities to support new farmers and agricultural industries.”

Some highlights include:

$100 million to expand broadband access throughout the state.
$14 million for a grain indemnity fund to protect Minnesota farmers.
$2 million in soil health equipment grants to help farmers make their farmland more resilient to extreme weather events, retain topsoil, build organic matter, and promote water quality.
$1 million to support emerging farmers with farm down payment assistance.
$944,000 in investments to support livestock processing.
$1.2 million over four years to provide services for beginning and emerging farmers.

The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee.

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