STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
AGRICULTURE, RURAL ECONOMIES AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Otremba, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:04 A.M. on February 14, 2007, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
OTREMBA, Chair HEIDGERKEN
FAUST, Vice-Chair HOSCH
HAMILTON, IR Lead JUHNKE
BROWN MORROW
DOTY SHIMANSKI
EKEN URDAHL
Members excused:
FINSTAD
A quorum was present.
Rep. Doty moved approval of the minutes from February 12, 2007.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED.
The committee heard discussion on Sustainable Agriculture and Organics in Minnesota.
Ms. Atina Diffley, Garden of Eagan Organic Farm, Farmington, Minnesota.
Garden of Eagan is one of the oldest organic vegetable farms.
Ms. Jean Andreasen, Pasture Land Cooperative, Dodge Center, Minnesota.
Ms. Carmen Fernholz, A-Frame Farm, Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing explained the need for research and education on organics.
Ms. Nancy Ehlke, Professor and Interim Department Chair, University of Minnesota explained to the committee how the University's research efforts are helping organics.
Mr. Don Wyse, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota explained the need for a capitol investment in organics.
Representative Morrow moved that HF 845 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation to be re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veteran Affairs Finance.
Representative Juhnke moved to amend HF 845 as follows (
H0845DE1):
Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"Section 1. ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK RESEARCH AND OUTREACH.
$150,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2008 and $150,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the Regents of the University of
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February 14, 2007
Minnesota for alternative livestock research and outreach efforts at the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. This is an ongoing baseline appropriation. The funds shall be spent on research and the dissemination of findings related to alternative and pasture-based livestock operations including forages appropriate for grass-base livestock production, livestock genetics, and marketing in sustainable agricultural systems.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Bly explained HF 845 Alternative livestock research and outreach funding provided to the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, and money appropriated.
Ms. Diane Jensen, Minnesota Project spoke in favor of HF845 and answered questions from the committee.
Representative Morrow renewed his motion that HF 845 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Doty moved HF846 re-referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation to be re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veteran Affairs Finance.
Representative Doty presented HF 846 Organic certification cost-share assistance and sustainable agriculture demonstration grants funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Doty moved to amend HF 846 as follows:
Page 1, Line 6 delete "$160,000" and insert "$275,000" for both fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
Chair Otremba explained the verbal amendment.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Mr. Thom Petersen, Minnesota Farmers Union spoke in favor of HF 846.
Representative Doty renewed his motion that HF 846 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation to be re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veteran Affairs Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Urdahl moved HF 844 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation to be re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veteran Affairs Finance.
Representative Tschumper presented HF 844 University of Minnesota organic research and education initiative funding provided, and money appropriated;
Mr. Paul Sobocinski, Land Stewardship Project spoke in favor of HF 844.
Representative Urdahl renewed his motion that HF 844 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
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The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 A.M.
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REP. MARY ELLEN OTREMBA, Chair
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Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant