SIXTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FIRST SESSION

AGRICULTURE & FOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION

MINUTES

Representative Jeanne Poppe, Chair of the Division, called the meeting to order at 9:45 AM on January 31st, 2019, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

POPPE, Jeanne, CHAIR
BRAND, Jeff, VICE CHAIR
HAMILTON, Rod, Republican LEAD
ANDERSON, Paul
ECKLUND, Rob
HANSEN, Rick
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIPPERT, Todd
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
POSTON, John
TABKE, Brad
VANG, Samantha
WAZLAWIK, Ami

Members excused:

KIEL, Debra

A quorum was present.

Vice Chair Brand moved to adopt the minutes from the division meeting on January 29. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Perry Aasness from Compeer Financial presented on issues impacting farmers from a lender’s point of view.

Panel on the trends and usage of programs designed to support farmers during difficult financial times.

Public testimony provided by:

• Matt McDevitt, Rural Finance Authority
• Kent Olson, Associate Dean for the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality
• Brad Schloesser, Dean of Agriculture, South Central College (Farm Business Management)

Panel to discuss tactics farmers use to weather difficult times and how the Minnesota Legislature can support those efforts.

Public testimony provided by:

• Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau President and Blue Earth County Farmer
• Pakou Hang, Co-Founder and Executive Director Hmong American Farmers Association
• Chris Mosel, Land Stewardship Project
• Anne Schwagerl, Prairie Point Farm

Vice Chair Brand moves H.F. 158 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill

Brand moves amendment A19-001. THE MOTION PREVAILS.

Public testimony on the bill provided by:
• Scott Carlson, Executive Director, FLAG
• Bruce Miller, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Chris Mosel, Land Stewardship Project

Vice Chair Brand renews motion to lay over H.F. 158 as amended for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:31 AM.





Representative Jeanne Poppe, Chair




Carl Kaase,
Committee Legislative Assistant