MN HF1461

Establishes an urban agriculture development pilot program administered by the Minnesota 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.

Commissioner may award up to 25 percent of total available funds per grant based on applicant commitments to criteria including increasing production capacity, creating living-wage jobs, improving food access, reducing health disparities, promoting racial equity, and supporting sustainable agriculture.

Requires cities and grantees to repay grants plus interest if they terminate leases or change ordinances affecting urban farming within five years, with exceptions for public nuisance, non-farming periods, or affordable housing development (with replacement land requirement).

Appropriates $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to the Commissioner of Agriculture; requires annual reporting on jobs created, wages, training, and agricultural products produced; program expires June 30, 2019.