ACTION ALERT:
Make Minnesota a National Leader in
Sustainable & Organic Ag

Calls are needed to ensure full funding for a legislative
package that can make this happen.

4/12/07          
LSP has been working with allies to ensure passage of a state legislative package that would make Minnesota a national leader in promoting sustainable and organic agriculture. The package dramatically increases funding for programs at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture that serve organic and sustainable farmers (more details below).  These are the public institutions that need to serve the interests of Minnesota's farmers and consumers who are demanding more research, promotion and support for this type of agriculture. 

The Minnesota House needs to increase its proposed funding. The Minnesota Senate has included adequate funding for the package with $4,270,000 for the biennium of 2008 and 2009.  The House provides $1,650,000 less than this with a total of $2,620,000 for the biennium.  The House Ag Omnibus Finance Bill provides only $130,000 of new money to these programs. 

Take Action!
The legislators who are in leadership positions in the House of Representatives can ensure that the House increases its funding proposal for this package to be in line with the Senate's. Here is who to call:

If you have time for one more call, contact your Representative. House information at 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550 can give you their name and number.

Here is the message:
"I am calling to urge you to use your leadership to ensure increased funding for sustainable and organic agriculture at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota. The Senate provides $4,470,000 for the biennium for this, but the House falls short of this by a little more than $1.6 million dollars. This public investment is badly needed to support one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture that is bringing young farmers back to the land and providing existing farmers with new opportunities. In addition, this farming benefits the environment while meeting the growing consumer demand for local, sustainably-raised and organic foods.  When you call, give your name and where you live. If you farm, be sure and let them know.  

Sustainable & organic ag legislative package with proposed Senate & House funding levels
These initiatives were introduced as separate pieces of legislation and have now all been incorporated into the Agriculture Omnibus and Higher Ed Omnibus Finance Bills with the funding as indicated below. Funding is for the biennium of 2008 and 2009.  Overview of funding:

1.  The "Minnesota Grows Organic" initiative would provide $1.1 million dollars annually to the University of Minnesota for organic research and outreach (Senate File 1027 and House File 844).  This would create a new and ongoing program at the University. The money would be used for faculty and staff at the St. Paul campus and outreach centers, graduate assistantships and equipment to meet the research and outreach needs of organic farmers.

2.  Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture's (MISA) Alternative Livestock Program funded at $150,000 a year (Senate File 1026 and House File 845).  Housed at the U of M, MISA's Alternative Livestock Program has been a leader in providing research and information to farmers raising livestock on grass and deep-bedded straw systems.

3.  Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Energy and Sustainable Ag Grant Program funded at $250,000 a year for two years (Senate File 1038, House File 710). This program provides grants for sustainable and organic farmers to conduct on-farm demonstration projects and research. The results are then published annually in the Greenbook. This program creates innovative farmer-driven solutions and facilitates farmer-to-farmer education.

4.  Minnesota Department of Agriculture's organic cost-share program funded at $275,000 a year for two years (Senate File 1039 and House File 846).  This program provides cost-share of up to $500 a year to farmers and processors towards the annual cost of organic certification.

5.  Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) at the University of Minnesota funded at $1 million a year to do research into perennial crops to be used for the next generation of cellulosic biofuels (Senate File 480 and House File 589).  Perennial cropping systems, including native prairies, offer the opportunity to create cellulosic ethanol while creating wildlife habit, preventing soil erosion and improving water quality.

Weekly State Capitol Updates
If you want to receive regular state capitol updates from LSP, send an e-mail to bking@landstewardshipproject.org with “State Capitol Update” in the subject line or text of the message. You can view the most recent State Capitol Update at http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/07/newsr_070406.htm.

For more information on LSP’s state legislative work, contact Bobby King at 507-450-7258 or Paul Sobocinski at 507-430-1509.