HF 4538 Summary

• Appropriates $250,000 in fiscal year 2021 for farm safety grants and outreach programs, including tractor rollover protective structure retrofits and grain storage facility safety equipment for Minnesota farmers and schools.

• Establishes new farm safety grant program allowing commissioners to award grants covering up to 70% of farmer costs (capped at $500 per tractor) and 100% of school costs for eligible tractor rollover protective structure installations.

• Increases funding for farm and rural mental health services from $50,000 to $100,000 in fiscal year 2022, including 24-hour hotline support and professional development training for Farm Business Management instructors.

• Updates agricultural product regulations by replacing "produce" terminology with "perishable farm products" throughout relevant statutes and modifies payment terms from 10 days to 30 days for produce dealers.

• Increases maximum loan limits under the agricultural microloan program from $10,000 to $20,000 per loan.