MN HF153

Establishes an urban agriculture development grant program administered by the commissioner of agriculture to provide financial and technical assistance to cities, organizations, and individuals for urban agriculture projects in eligible cities (seven-county metropolitan area or core counties of a metropolitan statistical area).

Creates two grant categories: grants to organizations and individuals for projects in urban agriculture development zones, ranked on ability to increase fresh food access (including affordable organic foods) and reduce health disparities related to food access; grants to cities that adopt zoning ordinances designating urban agriculture development zones with certification that ordinances remain in effect for at least ten years or funds must be repaid.

Amends the shared savings loan program to explicitly include urban agriculture development as an eligible loan use, allowing loans up to $40,000 per individual/organization or $160,000 for joint projects at no more than six percent interest.

Adds two residents practicing urban agriculture to the loan review panel that evaluates applications based on production savings, energy efficiency, farm profitability, and environmental benefits.

Appropriates $3,000,000 each in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, with $1,000,000 reserved for city grants, $1,000,000 for organization grants, and $1,000,000 for individual grants from July 1 through January 1, with remaining funds available to any eligible applicant from January 2 through June 30.