[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6321311,"mediaKeyId","2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227","parentId",2350842,"title","Bill to expand Farm to School and early‑care purchases laid over after farmers and school nutrition directors testify","audioSeconds",901,"startMs",6537000,"endMs",7438000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227&start=6537&end=7438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227/thumbnail_6537000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321311/Minnesota/Bill-to-expand-Farm-to-School-and-earlycare-purchases-laid-over-after-farmers-and-school-nutrition-directors-testify","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321311-45983d5166dcdd49d32f81ef848e893f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775051041&Signature=Z4ASzca3vzreH0Dh2kyevTVmlwaM70mlf6jr20sXXchX1IF1vU5nT1XhvxU103DFJAOSVQYLwoKzn-DmZCv8ZB1EJMZO-oLINmve7OXTDJ9GrMKM5KNINUQT7BaKGUx55u~7hyBW9VrsXbupS-~64MHvnEdL6BzUZRr1B9GahNsE~A6twf6k-85NS5X5SnCwomQ~NLPbqi5~puUJtvOF~ilgdxZscF4mqM0FpyW2~CbA5FQC5J1ujaGD312Jvw9wJIdPe5560wUCYiVS-zBXP-OP5Okl3M54aR5Om-14DoKm~~Nvuk9m~DqiVfpQGXWmBJBv2BqOJMp3ReMIlAVxhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate Media Services","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Senator David Gustafson presented Senate File 1559 to fund and expand farm to school and early‑care purchasing through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He told the committee the bill supports children and farmers by promoting local procurement and healthy food in schools and early‑care centers.

Testimony from Samantha Barthel of Snake River Farm, Brenda Rudolph of Raising a Farmer and Lorien Landowski (child nutrition director, Foley Public Schools) emphasized how purchases from local farms and processors provide nutrition and stable markets. Barthel said Snake River Farm supplied about 10,000 pounds of ground beef to school programs this year and that the program helps her keep year‑round employees because it provides off‑season revenue. Landowski said Foley serves roughly 980 breakfasts and 1,650 lunches per day and that farm‑to‑school and equipment grants enabled scratch cooking and local procurement for beef, produce, flour and maple syrup. She described school gardens and student engagement as part of the program’s benefits.

The bill also includes language to position Minnesota to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) if allocated for local foods for schools and child care. MDA staff explained that the CCC award would not include administrative dollars from USDA, so the state bill allows the commissioner to use up to 7.5% of the federal funds and up to 7.5% of state funds for administration of the larger program total; agency staff said current state AGRI grant funding pays existing Farm to School administration but the CCC award would significantly increase the size of the program and administrative need.

After testimony and questions, the committee laid Senate File 1559 over for possible inclusion in omnibus work; no appropriation was adopted at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/19/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 1559 would allocate state funds and position Minnesota to receive a USDA CCC commodity grant for farm‑to‑school and early‑care purchases; suppliers and a school nutrition director told the committee the grants help connect local producers to schools and improve student nutrition.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321316,"Committee advances bill easing financial reporting for small grain buyers after testimony from small operators",2434,4103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227&start=4103&end=6537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227/thumbnail_4103000.jpg","/articles/6321316/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-easing-financial-reporting-for-small-grain-buyers-after-testimony-from-small-operators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321316-8b5fc236b429112cb72e586b4468f574/orig.mp4?Expires=1775051041&Signature=D0dtIul04QVOWR6rwYuVsTNUht-PWIFjOtes6C55L9FiTEnJnw8qptsMGEHrGgoX~OQu8l5LovSQuQxQS-3ZIZVBurgs7OsbHnHVNujtZ263BK0U9P4sCdX1KOcHKGItiXGAdVoU3jujhhRJhB5hEszHQ587XDxExYV98T9aZpvw7jvNZaYSVniPHyo9Q-QgqmGjAU0RpvqIg5ixuGofQDHPPiOhdLguafxdqw4CelcxptWNClWXQSibR3sOCutr8RCyJ06weohv4SkKk-G8ORVZDv0E71rhI6-bZLxjQqwelMzEmb5pmfX5OHrg6XZRhqlkuz3Y80~gm428t0s46Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Mike Kupak presented Senate File 1552 to update financial‑reporting requirements for grain buyers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Kupak told the committee the bill restores a tiered reporting approach and clarifies a cash‑sale exemption for small buyers paying cash at delivery. \"This clarifies an exemption for cash sales to small grain buyers while also clarifying that MDA can require additional reporting if necessary,\" he said.

Key provisions described in the hearing include: an exemption for grain buyers purchasing under $1,000,000 annually who pay cash at delivery; a lower reporting threshold that allows buyers under $7,500,000 in annual purchases to provide an accountant‑prepared financial report rather than requiring a CPA review; a CPA review requirement for buyers with purchases above $7,500,000; and a full CPA audit requirement for buyers above $20,000,000 in gross purchases.

Small businesses gave detailed testimony on the cost and availability of CPA reviews. Jim Falk, a fourth‑generation farmer and licensed grain buyer, said his required annual review has cost his firm roughly $7,000–$7,400. Feed‑mill owner Donovan Storey described a license renewal denial because his accountant's review was not a CPA review, then said he struggled for months to find a CPA and was quoted $18,000 to complete the work: \"An expense that was costing $500 to $18,000 is disproportionate to the size of my business,\" Storey told the committee.

The Minnesota Grain and Feed Association supported tiered thresholds and the cash exemption but warned that changing language from generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to \"national or international accounting standards\" could allow variable bases (cash, tax, accrual) that would make MDA’s review less uniform. The association also opposes removing CEO and board certification of financial statements because boards have fiduciary duties to cooperative members and that certification deployed after the Ashby elevator failure helped hold boards accountable.

MDA staff (Assistant Commissioner Peter Chested and program manager Nick Monowski) told the committee the department recommended the changes after consulting a grain advisory group and other states; Monowski said the national/international standard language is intended to accommodate buyers whose headquarters and reporting obligations are outside Minnesota. Monowski said the bill would permit MDA to accept financial reports that include the specific line items listed in the statute and that many small buyers would therefore provide less costly, readily available reports.

After testimony and questions, Senator Gustafson moved that Senate File 1552 be passed and moved to the floor; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the bill was advanced to the Senate floor. Committee members asked that stakeholders and agency staff continue to work on language before floor action to resolve concerns such as the accounting‑standards language and CEO/board certification.

The committee record shows the bill was passed out of committee and moved to the floor on a voice vote; no roll‑call tally was taken.","Senate File 1552, sponsored by Sen. Mike Kupak, would tier financial‑reporting requirements for grain buyers and exempt small cash purchasers; after emotional testimony from small operators about high CPA costs, the committee passed the bill by voice vote and moved it to the floor.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321321,"Soybean leaders push trade, infrastructure and renewable‑fuel support as tariffs and markets loom",530,2826000,3356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227&start=2826&end=3356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227/thumbnail_2826000.jpg","/articles/6321321/Minnesota/Soybean-leaders-push-trade-infrastructure-and-renewablefuel-support-as-tariffs-and-markets-loom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321321-5e8202589caeeb3ced735ffa95f7ef46/orig.mp4?Expires=1775051041&Signature=SQTgAVf1wH7dYSSYlTYOYjN10vANVrxFxS7Qu4GPluD2ZUaAFW22Butqof9FG1jQ~8VodyImCEIzGrI5~xtnzKMSq2iXrr2~G9kaHw31QaXnO3ghsoDrlT8-IrhMV7F~wVKY6vANnHrxkv4QwuI56BItCcdZnMuwIakrzSRkVS3CNLUdiPZcR0ykqb4XUwWZ9jBOKjRqIXoVOofit~MHLO4HGhinu8H6juCzbkKmM6ovM-4K~Rf5T7GnMUz4KDwKlkYZTiJB2cnw1ToUcrLyPnkSPxvZGRuUgPSgkIT71FIJJeM1cfC99sbuule0~4Gd55zEJYoDt0Sjaqxur7nplQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Darren Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers and a fourth generation farmer from Wells, told the Senate committee that soybean farmers face volatile markets, rising input costs and weather risks even as Minnesota remains one of the nation’s largest soybean producers.

Johnson said more than 27,000 farmers fuel a statewide industry that supports jobs and export markets; he told the committee that more than 60% of Minnesota soybeans are exported and urged state leaders to back policies that preserve market access and expand demand for homegrown feed and fuels.

The witness highlighted Minnesota’s role in biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development and asked lawmakers to support renewable fuels and infrastructure investment to keep Minnesota competitive. “Minnesota has been a leader in biodiesel with B20,” he said, and noted that SAF is a potential future market for soy products.

During questioning, Senator Kunish read a Minnesota Farmers Union letter that raised concerns about tariffs and cross‑border trade; Johnson said the situation was unfolding and that industry efforts are focused on maintaining trade relationships. Johnson said switching crops is not an easy or quick option for farmers—new equipment and capital would be required—and emphasized the need for domestic demand if export markets tighten.

Committee members asked about burdensome regulations and the effects of conservation and labor policy. Johnson said conservation practices differ farm‑to‑farm and warned against one‑size‑fits‑all rules; he also expressed concern about paid‑leave rules and other labor mandates that he said add costs for family farms.

No committee vote was taken on the testimony; members thanked the witness and flagged continued interest in trade, infrastructure and renewable‑fuel policies.","Darren Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers, told the Senate committee Minnesota is a top soybean state and urged continued support for export markets, infrastructure and biodiesel/SAF demand while raising concerns about tariffs and market volatility.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321326,"Minnesota Pork Producers describe financial losses, permitting and disease readiness to Senate panel",525,1851000,2376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227&start=1851&end=2376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6321326/Minnesota/Minnesota-Pork-Producers-describe-financial-losses-permitting-and-disease-readiness-to-Senate-panel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321326-14c29253ff3629d9ad84d8c35806be97/orig.mp4?Expires=1775051041&Signature=FkfLctTsQsF~e2tpbACKFJdVXzhbXTH-q4PBb3Kbmwqzkfr9ngfRU3tX4VMFiq~VFqV-OEOWklyTCD0v40mKfNkeLng00ggA5OfzDDmxndIPzzZ49tq~X1TC-gAg5g7F54Qy7danfBU5d0kpResUQbCVO44ZZuyFCYdTviezwDHFH-~CpIl0KxyjDalf30gNGXqJGM4G444KttIORWgNS35tPY~xcCt9PHeRXzjuVon9OA-A~KJzK3FW89~Tlmuzf3uCI4vEImJvp7EZy9t~X57iKhES3WGpaPOpcf6fNIA4TeiYtezovFLoODn9r4ViUjBZVFQmiVjm-gXktAe9AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Darryl Timmerman, executive‑board member and recent past president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development that Minnesota pig farmers endured a prolonged period of losses beginning in 2022 and that the sector faces continued pressures from feed costs, labor and permitting requirements.

Timmerman said an Iowa State model tracked a 19‑month stretch of industry losses and that, over the period, the model showed “$27 of losses on every single pig that went to market,” which he described as roughly “$4,700 of losses on every semi truck.” He said profitability began to return in April 2024 but that farmers are still repairing balance sheets.

The producer highlighted three state‑level strengths for Minnesota pork: a skilled, progressive farmer base; nearby processing and feed infrastructure; and the ability to use manure to build soil health. He said feed is the single largest cost for producers and that manure reduces fertilizer costs.

Testimony also stressed regulatory and workforce concerns. Timmerman asked for clearer, predictable permitting for barn replacement and remodeling, saying aging barns and lengthy permitting make capital investment difficult. He said state rules not grounded in science could disadvantage Minnesota producers. On labor, he cited childcare access and the need for a trained hands‑on workforce; he also flagged challenges for producers navigating new paid‑leave and related labor administration costs.

On animal‑disease readiness, committee members asked about African swine fever (ASF). Timmerman said industry collaboration with the Board of Animal Health and veterinarians has improved traceability and preparedness but urged continued investment in testing and response capacity because trade effects would be severe: “Trade’s a big deal for industry with 25% of our product, on a net basis being exported,” he said.

The committee did not take formal action on the testimony. Members thanked Timmerman and discussed follow‑up on permitting, labor and disease‑response supports.","Darryl Timmerman of the Minnesota Pork Producers outlined 19 months of losses in the U.S. swine sector, urged streamlined permitting and continued support for the Board of Animal Health to prepare for threats such as African swine fever.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321331,"Senators move to add milk money to Farm to Food Shelf base as food banks report rising need",956,817000,1773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227&start=817&end=1773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2350842-39d99eec39c1db1c5ada6398e228f227/thumbnail_817000.jpg","/articles/6321331/Minnesota/Senators-move-to-add-milk-money-to-Farm-to-Food-Shelf-base-as-food-banks-report-rising-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321331-649c14eb1c8ef9147942e2794356c72c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775051041&Signature=eMS~3ThB4ujRh0R4xojZAEjTS-XuaASdVwDvtPF1VP6R8A~VyTATOC5fm32vs4px~0CBx1zqn2-0PqXSmItESWurCp2G6ynMe2vswLTQ16uPIHOpIvyOrACgkladhAuDRS11BWRWYTZOFL-ovuwxs-biFm925JfeVBV9qsZunuYiVE9lVABv7Sh7Z3AivbiAkOPpCRCl1UiO9dku0Rsd~kFIvBCS2DIg6gXcrBuVKJPFJi1rxo2EQjdE6nAjGVoEaMRkkCk5wZW1q2WwgWVc3Fhge7eLEXgd~gdXUuvXhCeJ3CExs~x~SAWm5UltUjUfTUbUcC6tmam19pD4kdc0-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators Mike Kupak and John Abler told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development that two companion bills (Senate File 629 and Senate File 257) would add the $250,000 a year the Legislature approved in 2023 for additional milk purchases into the Farm to Food Shelf program base, which the sponsors said has a statutory base of $1.7 million a year.

The change, Kupak said, would make the milk money a permanent appropriation rather than a temporary add‑on. “This change in the farm to food shelf language will ensure that [the Good Acre] continues to receive that state support,” Kupak said. Senator Abler said the program buys milk, protein and produce and praised the program’s low administrative costs: “they’re spending only 2% for admin,” he said.

Why it matters: Testimony from food‑bank officials described growing, sustained demand for product that the program helps supply and said the additional milk funds have been a gap the food banks currently cover themselves. Sophie Wallerstadt, public affairs manager at Second Harvest Heartland, told the committee the program routes donated and purchased food through warehouse and partner networks that serve food shelves across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Lindsay Akhmanik, director of sourcing and demand planning at Second Harvest Heartland, said program funds were spent rapidly in a recent year: “the entirety of funds in this year were spent in the first four months. That shows the degree to which the need exists.”

Channel 1 Regional Food Bank executive director Virginia Witherspoon told the committee her region distributed almost 19 million pounds of food in 2024 (up from about 14 million in 2023) and that new shoppers and household visits have risen sharply. “Farm to Food Shelf is absolutely essential to us,” she said, adding the program provides roughly half the milk Channel 1 needs for its distribution region.

Program details discussed to the committee: the program was created and implemented through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to reimburse farmers and pay harvesting/handling costs for excess produce and to purchase milk and protein for Feeding America food banks serving Minnesota. Committee testimony placed the program’s statutory base at $1.7 million a year and said the 2023 Legislature approved an additional $250,000 a year for fiscal 2024–25 to pay for extra milk but did not add that increase to the base; the sponsors’ bills would add it to the base. Witnesses said the program historically covers produce, protein and milk and that a larger share of money has gone to milk in recent years because milk is harder to obtain as a donation.

No final funding decision was made. Committee minutes show that Senate File 629 and Senate File 257 were laid over for possible inclusion in omnibus work.

Supporters emphasized food‑security benefits and local farm markets; food‑bank witnesses described tight supply, steep seasonal spending, and a need for the predictability that a permanently increased base appropriation would provide. The committee laid the bills over for possible inclusion in future package work.

The committee hearing included slides and data submitted by Second Harvest Heartland showing meal equivalents, program product breakdowns (produce by weight representing the largest share), and a decline in corporate and national donations in 2024 that has increased reliance on purchase programs.","Senators Mike Kupak and John Abler presented companion bills to add the 2023 one‑time milk appropriation to the Farm to Food Shelf program base; Second Harvest Heartland and Channel One told the committee demand and milk costs have risen and that funds are spent early in the year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to expand Farm to School and early‑care purchases laid over after farmers and school nutrition directors testify

Committee advances bill easing financial reporting for small grain buyers after testimony from small operators

Soybean leaders push trade, infrastructure and renewable‑fuel support as tariffs and markets loom

Minnesota Pork Producers describe financial losses, permitting and disease readiness to Senate panel

Senators move to add milk money to Farm to Food Shelf base as food banks report rising need