MN HF3324

Establishes an urban agriculture development pilot program administered by the commissioner of agriculture to provide competitive grants to eligible cities, Native American tribal communities, and individuals, nonprofits, and cooperatives located in eligible cities.

Defines eligible cities as those with population over 10,000 or where at least 10 percent of the population comprises communities of color or Native American tribal communities living at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold.

Awards competitive grants based on applicant commitment to goals including increasing production capacity, creating living-wage jobs, improving food access and security, promoting racial equity, reducing health disparities, and providing environmental benefits.

Requires cities to repay three times the grant amount if they terminate leases or adopt ordinances eliminating farming ability for at least five years; repayment exempted if activities constitute a public nuisance, land was not farmed in two of three prior years, or land is used for affordable housing with comparable replacement land provided.

Appropriates $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund, with $10,000,000 reserved from July 1, 2016 through January 1, 2017 for grants serving communities of color and Native American tribal communities; program expires June 30, 2018.