STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
MINUTES
Representative Anderson, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM, on ¬¬¬¬February 17, 2025, in Room G3 of the Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Paul, Chair
HARDER, Bobbie, Vice Chair
HANSEN, Rick, DFL Lead
AGBAJE, Esther
FREDERICK, Luke
JACOB, Steve
LAWRENCE, Bryan
LEE, Fue
NELSON, Nathan
SMITH, Andy
VANG, Samantha
Members excused:
BURKEL, John
GANDER, Steve
Representative Harder moved the minutes of February 12, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Sarah Dornink, Director, MN Agriculture Education Leadership Council, presented information on MAELEC grant programs.
Representative Harder assumed the gavel at 1:04 PM.
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HF711 (Anderson) Agricultural Education Leadership Council grants funding provided
Chair Anderson moved HF711 before the committee.
The following individuals testified on HF711:
Sarah Dornink, MAELC
Hunter Pederson, MN Farm Bureau
Chair Anderson laid HF711 over.
Chair Anderson assumed the gavel at 1:25 PM.
Keith Olander, Executive Director AgCentric, Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence, presented on financial management for farmers.
Tina LeBrun, Executive Director of the Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence, presented data on farm income.
HF653 (Nelson) Money transferred to the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Technology Transfer Account; grant program and farm business management challenge grant funding provided.
Representative Nelson moved HF653 before the committee.
The following individuals testified on HF653:
Keith Olander, Executive Director, Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence,
Hannah Barnhardt, Medicine creek Farm, Finlayson, MN
Chair Anderson laid HF653 over.
The following presented on mental health issues facing rural Minnesota farmers:
Monica McConkey, MN Rural Mental Health Specialist
Ted Matthews, MN Rural Mental Health Specialist
The following presented on Minnesota County Fairs:
Andrew Duerr, Minnesota Federation of County Fairs
Jen Penzenstadler, Minnesota Federation of County Fairs
The following presented on GreenSeam’s work:
Sam Ziegler, President of GreenSeam
Wes Beck, Chairman of GreenSeam and owner of Beck Farms
Robin Tidd, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Teacher at Mankato Area Public Schools,
Delaney Kantack, a student from Mankato Area Public High School
Faith Macemon, student from Mankato Area Public High School
The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 PM.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Connie Edwards, Committee Legislative Assistant