S.F. No. 3955 - Agriculture Supplemental Appropriations Bill

• Total Appropriations: $475,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $1,650,000 in fiscal year 2025 to the Department of Agriculture, plus $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 to the Department of Health for contaminated well mitigation programs in southeastern Minnesota counties.

• Key Agriculture Programs: Funding for home water treatment systems for private wells, soil health financial assistance, farm-to-school markets, meat processing training, livestock protection grants against avian influenza, and down payment assistance for beginning and emerging farmers.

• Dairy and Specialty Programs: $4,000,000 for Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) grants to support participating dairy farms, plus funding for dairy profitability enhancement teams and farm business planning grants.

• Beginning Farmer Support: Expanded tax credits and grants for beginning and emerging farmers, including modifications to land access requirements and increased credit rates (12% instead of 8%) for emerging farmers experiencing limited land access.

• Broadband and Policy Changes: Authorization for the commissioner to transfer up to $5,000,000 between broadband programs, requirement to apply for federal digital equity grant funding, and various statutory updates extending program expiration dates from 2025 to 2035.