S.F. No. 5365 - Agriculture Bill Summary

• Appropriates $88,025,000 to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal years 2024-2025, including funding for protection services, agricultural marketing, research programs, and administration initiatives.

• Establishes multiple agricultural support programs including soil health assistance ($625,000), pollinator research ($800,000 first year), livestock compensation ($175,000), and crop damage assistance ($155,000).

• Increases agricultural loan participation limits for beginning farmers and livestock operations from $400,000-$525,000 to $500,000-$625,000 depending on loan type.

• Extends fertilizer fee provisions and industrial hemp regulatory authority through 2029-2030 and modifies dairy development program structure to allow flexible service delivery methods.

• Allocates $4,000,000 for Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) grants and $3,000,000 for nitrate treatment, plus funding for emerging farmers, food access programs, and agricultural research initiatives.