Senate Passes Putnam Authored Agriculture Bill

(KNSI) – After clearing the Minnesota House and Senate, a big budget bill is out of the stables and headed to the governor’s desk.

St. Cloud Senator Aric Putnam authored the omnibus agriculture, broadband, and rural development budget bill, which passed with
bipartisan support.

The bill steers $48 million towards the needs of farmers and $100 million to increase broadband access.

“I am proud of the work we put in to reach this budget agreement,” said Senator Aric Putnam. “We listened to the voices of Minnesota farmers. This bill was written in town halls and listening sessions, not in a committee room in St. Paul. We worked on what was best for Minnesotans not what was convenient for a political party.”

He says the money will go to every corner of the state. Some highlights of the omnibus budget bill include:

$100 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to expand broadband access throughout the state.

$10 million for a grain indemnity fund to protect Minnesota farmers.

$8 million to create funding for urban youth agriculture education and urban agriculture community development grants.

Over $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 and beginning farmers with farm down payment assistance.

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