Legislative Update: Strengthening our Agricultural Economy

Dear Neighbors,

Recently, legislative leaders and Governor Walz agreed on the supplemental budget framework for the 2024 session. The budget allows lawmakers to address the most urgent statewide challenges impacting working families and communities, including new opportunities for pre-K education, boosting pensions for dedicated teachers throughout our state, and more. In addition, it maintains our stable economic budgeting into future years.

In this session focusing on crafting a bonding bill, we are committed to investing in statewide infrastructure projects to help communities protect access to safe drinking water, fix roads and bridges, encourage innovation at our colleges, universities, and tech schools, get tools to our first responders so they can answer the call during emergencies, and help all Minnesota communities thrive.

Here’s the latest from St. Paul:

Building a Strong Agricultural Economy

As Chair of the Agriculture Committee, I’ve worked to ensure that Minnesota is a national leader in agricultural production through investing in sustainable food supplies, strengthening our state’s agricultural economy, and supporting new opportunities in our rural and urban communities

To showcase Minnesota as the top producer of turkeys in the country, I got invited to the President’s turkey pardoning prior to Thanksgiving. From there, our Minnesota turkeys, Liberty and Bell remain taken care of at the University of Minnesota. U of M students get this incredible experience through their undergraduate career and explore their passions.

You can view their video here!

MDA Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Awarded

Last year, I authored legislation to fully fund the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Soil Health Financial Assistance Grants.

These grants are available to individual producers, producer groups, and local governments to purchase or retrofit soil health equipment. They provide up to 50% cost-share, with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum award of $50,000. This will help farmers transition into utilizing best soil health practices on their farms.

Recently, this program and the key partners involved won the Environmental Initiative Award in the Rural Vitality category. This program is a testament to our community leaders who have showed up, advocated, and fought for our agricultural economy,

The Impact of Universal School Meals

Our state’s public education system rightly provides teaching, books, and transportation for all kids. Last year, we approved extending that principle to meals at school as well, with the understanding that the learning isn’t possible when a child is hungry. This change has already led to healthier school meals, as discussed in this MPR News piece. And there’s new evidence that it will reduce child obesity – improving lifelong health – too. Healthier, better educated young people will benefit all of us for years to come.

Stay in Touch

Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I am best reached through email at rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov or please contact my Legislative Assistant Jared at jared.margolis@house.mn.gov. I always appreciate hearing from you. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page here. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Samantha Vang

651-296-3709

rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov