[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6650223,"mediaKeyId","2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db","parentId",2508539,"title","Senate advances biofertilizer incentive bill with data‑privacy amendment; referred to Judiciary","audioSeconds",521,"startMs",6665000,"endMs",7186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db&start=6665&end=7186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db/thumbnail_6665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650223/Minnesota/Senate-advances-biofertilizer-incentive-bill-with-dataprivacy-amendment-referred-to-Judiciary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650223-01694f0788c89fdd038a72787e03eb83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196377&Signature=eGuqnZ2CFQP4450Sx6sQV3lxkbr694iJ0aG3tU08HZrqFFH7HQCDzOp4nn5P~sjKwrKbIvAZeHdCc1WL57akXBAj05K2qwEUjRI1UajuaGvgmpFjB6WmSqYh2w2-9ichqFDRjjyHfiZQCG5UE1zJ-dZie-BMqgEiOpI1BoV5lmViuRUTqn6sLiyfRiu2PfzpHVn4YCOsYMMtOcD10Z-beaiwJQUf6C50baQm5J8N-SXeHgFxGDKBe-wOXAcirKwK1x8DjcH0wnba6LLfc6okVYfywgDmv1BM1ViqBwRRAkg9jciiDZIzqUlXP1n5cYIs~IVjbNsXmaYk2v-fJxeU3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-05T23:02:19.74Z","article","Senate File 1575, carried in committee by Sen. Kupak, would establish a Biofertilizer Water Preservation Program to incentivize adoption of biological nitrogen sources, bio‑stimulants and related technologies that reduce reliance on commercial synthetic nitrogen.

Cameron Henning, a commercial agronomist with Pivot Bio, told the committee biological products — for example, seed‑applied nitrogen‑fixing microbes or foliar/soil bio‑stimulants — can supply part of a crop’s nitrogen needs and reduce the amount of synthetic nitrogen entering the system. \"By taking even a small portion of synthetic nitrogen out of the growing cycle means that the potential source of nitrate contamination was never in the system,\" Henning said.

Sen. Westrom offered an A4 amendment to protect farmer‑level data and require aggregate program reporting by county; Sen. Kupak accepted the amendment as friendly. Committee members discussed fiscal and program design questions, including the proposed per‑acre incentive level ($5 per acre was referenced in committee discussion) and budget capacity. Several senators expressed concern about starting new programs given fiscal constraints; sponsors said the bill would be sent to Judiciary for more detailed review of legal, data and budget issues.

After adopting the amendment, the committee voted to pass Senate File 1575 as amended and referred it to the Judiciary Committee for further work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/05/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 1575 would create incentives for emerging biological nitrogen products and technologies. The committee adopted an amendment protecting grower data and requiring aggregate reporting, then passed the bill to Judiciary.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650227,"Bill to certify ag retailers under 4R nutrient stewardship moves to judiciary after amendment",1544,5104000,6648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db&start=5104&end=6648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db/thumbnail_5104000.jpg","/articles/6650227/Minnesota/Bill-to-certify-ag-retailers-under-4R-nutrient-stewardship-moves-to-judiciary-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650227-5b66dd0ada1fe1d580d27d4ec9a3f3f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196377&Signature=f9zOs9Ije7iPkfE4hhLTs1OW-VqHaIn0Kg0nFI6lhdcq408zStNSrcE48AC0-MqD2DsFkiFe5Lq3i7MOigTnYqoMVeW4zdhIFHPHWfP4LUgbCjkuCmRBXHRXQGTiOelfDDa15OI7kJ8NL2dnTKDuMn3IPUyY3-RCkkrCVH5Gf7315Gb~nzdD9kp-jXRwS7AfsjLnj9ANTSGB-eqGCBHSisDDHmejeVQGcrlmsk~bcIA1aczkX~dRbsejrWNINKTjTVQAkTif8c4GDYhPGXGuM0tjE7ESPc~8~mTjfnHJMTMeNGKGUHcECbEWWi~BrDR6gXCKN5TPhH7Q1gIOEuBbUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 1840 (sponsored by Sen. Kupak) would create a voluntary grant program to certify agricultural retailers and cooperatives as 4R nutrient‑stewardship facilities and provide reimbursement and per‑acre incentives to encourage nutrient‑management practices.

Lee Hogan, executive director of Minnesota Crop Production Retailers, described the 4R standard (right source, rate, time, place) and said the bill would reimburse initial certification application and auditing costs (up to $5,000 per facility) and provide up to $0.50 per acre to certified facilities that help producers implement eligible nutrient‑management practices. A bonus payment would be available when a certified crop advisor (CCA) is involved. The bill also included funds for training and outreach.

Hogan said the structure aims to leverage the retailer/co‑op network to scale adoption because retailers serve large acreages. Sponsor Sen. Kupak described the program as scalable and estimated an initial appropriation of about $2.5 million to certify roughly 20 facilities and support about 2,000,000 acres. He said the program could be expanded after proof of concept.

Committee members questioned cost, program scope, data handling, and whether the program should be funded through Clean Water Fund resources. Hogan said the certification council would audit and approve facility certifications and that the department would handle payments and any needed audits. The bill contains data privacy language to keep grower‑level records nonpublic.

After adopting an A1 amendment that modified timing language and award discretion, the committee voted to pass Senate File 1840 and refer it to the Judiciary Committee.","Senate File 1840 would create a grant program to certify agricultural retailers and cooperatives under 4R nutrient‑stewardship standards and offer per‑acre incentives for producers. Committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the Judiciary Committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650232,"Committee endorses continued funding for soil‑health equipment grants; SF882 laid over",1080,4023000,5103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db&start=4023&end=5103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db/thumbnail_4023000.jpg","/articles/6650232/Minnesota/Committee-endorses-continued-funding-for-soilhealth-equipment-grants-SF882-laid-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650232-a586ed6dc6c00515543e61d5497de7ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196377&Signature=IQqxni7e3nqFxF-unqkiz9aXjCfc5xHI5vBRyu-D8vlTpN5~3MOZ8mF-Mup1p~MoBnPqavDoXF8Dg728wQ44KhGWIkJq2RSog11IivDjvxCFYF3Aab8lbI9Bb73qrRzxc6XS~mqpIAbTsduxMNjaLcaV23NI1jul-9WOMUNkdff0fTEH3Z0jwhPeiCtKrhq9K6Sr6YfYiC9YheUmnQBDiRVWeFtAeevNTg3RC1W4t3b4pqhCIgibCgCgAU16OaiKWXQp6GgmzOulJSz7~OUXO~D-RWrUo7Hazgx5bn5r1Nkjd808G~COMzQxDUhrXV6Xot8sEI2csGV-Q62~gcnrFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 882, carried by Sen. Jenifer Gustafson, would continue and expand the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program that provides grants for equipment and other costs to adopt practices such as cover crops, no‑till drills and strip‑till.

Gustafson said the program had attracted about $24 million in applications against approximately $5.25 million available to date, indicating strong farmer demand. \"What makes the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program especially remarkable is the broad bipartisan support it has received,\" she told the committee.

Multiple agricultural groups and producers testified in support. Dana Allen Tully, chair of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, described long‑term on‑farm experimentation with cover crops and strip‑till and said incentives that allow farmers to test and adopt practices are essential. Carolyn Olsen of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation urged a voluntary, broad approach so farmers can choose practices that fit their operations. Farmer Peter Schwagel and others described how grants enabled purchase of a no‑till drill and other equipment that opened opportunities — including planting winter camelina for emerging markets and expanding cover‑crop use.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Chess of MDA said the department fully supports the bill; he said the program is in the governor’s budget and that the grants fill a gap by enabling investments farmers otherwise could not make. Following presentation of an amendment (A1), the committee adopted the change and Chair Putnam laid Senate File 882 over for possible inclusion.

Supporters said the program helps overcome the initial financial barriers and learning curve associated with soil‑health practices and creates local demonstration and custom‑work opportunities that can accelerate broader adoption.","Witnesses including Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Farm Bureau and farmers told the committee the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program helps producers adopt cover crops, no‑till and other practices; an amendment was adopted and Senate File 882 was laid over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650237,"Senate hearing: Minnesota‑made fertilizer grant bill laid over after testimony from farmers and industry",1937,2062000,3999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db&start=2062&end=3999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db/thumbnail_2062000.jpg","/articles/6650237/Minnesota/Senate-hearing-Minnesotamade-fertilizer-grant-bill-laid-over-after-testimony-from-farmers-and-industry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650237-2799e1ee7bb5c6cddf83cf9c21b04103/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196377&Signature=fbinwT22t17P7g4sx~vF6qJ9heHQYLVv2QYVkGxmiBHOlzAlPXcZqgaMlATig-EWvBiuKRmxQyGdCUPqRQdFT5-mjIS2ryssATJenZ1JxfVlSNYTLBidT7u9Wxzf8y9QVoH5xjeUKhxKZx~M5pt5luKLRJkFY4vCA4wDP6i4qGxomeNsGM-lqYp1QqFPbHhmbugyl-DFvWjpYK0xpRxK-maK3Lf0MJGVLzn0NX9LL1dw9O~71W7SzXKoDiaVYOWhPP4ypBCSuuvzdzoNXEaBh5cldx7Bm7NlZ0NzLSjuWgI8gEfP-0vlvpyRxkHR8l2EDxJ8oNGi7XgZV1LuOTPIBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 303, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Lang, would establish a Minnesota‑made fertilizer grant program to encourage local blending and processing of fertilizer coproducts. Lang introduced the bill during the March 5 Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee meeting and said the proposal has been discussed in multiple sessions.

\"A lot of the fertilizer that's produced, or I should say, utilized in the state of Minnesota, comes from outside the state,\" Sen. Lang said. He described the bill as a grant program whose dollar amount would be determined during the budget process and turned the floor over to farmer Randy Tersteeg of Olivia, Minnesota, who testified in favor of the idea.

Tersteeg, who described himself as a farmer with experience operating \"nontypical fertilizer operations,\" said Minnesota produces coproducts — including animal manures, calcium products from sugar‑beet processing and wood ash — that could be blended and processed into farm‑ready fertilizer products. He testified such small, regional blending facilities could reduce reliance on imported potash and decrease transportation risks tied to barging and international supply chains.

Tersteeg estimated startup costs for small blending facilities could range from about $1 million to $5 million depending on scale, and he said a modest network of smaller plants would be more practical than one large plant. He also said some existing, underused facilities (mentioned in committee as Benson and a former Fiberman site) could be repurposed.

Senators asked about supply chain risk (Tersteeg noted the United States sources large shares of potash from Canada), tariff exposure and how quickly a blending operation could be stood up (Tersteeg suggested many operations could be viable within about 12 months and that manure hauling is often feasible within a roughly 50‑mile radius). Several senators expressed support or interest.

Commissioner Tom Peterson said MDA has engaged with proponents, that the department has visited local facilities and “supports the concept and the idea” even though the program is not in MDA’s current budget. Following testimony and questions, Chair Putnam said Senate File 303 would be \"laid over for possible inclusion\" in future committee action.","Senator Lang introduced Senate File 303, a proposal to create a grant program supporting in‑state fertilizer blending/processing. Testimony from farmer Randy Tersteeg described opportunities and startup costs; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650243,"MDA: Nitrate pollution in Southeast Minnesota groundwater is longstanding; solutions will take years",726,778000,1504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db&start=778&end=1504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508539-09cbb2e56c99a1ecd5cadec07899f2db/thumbnail_778000.jpg","/articles/6650243/Minnesota/MDA-Nitrate-pollution-in-Southeast-Minnesota-groundwater-is-longstanding-solutions-will-take-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650243-ff93c9256d7762f0371f930de5d30e89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196377&Signature=gMAmqOLIp7tpdzrwPlEXCmUoyAOQtBFXcih6y5Y8MWVdUeLjcvlU58J1yV4S4skce0u6MSinX8Kvl-yoTQJXdgpPZEv5MGeEqFo1FCRr4a~mql5JI7HqrAmpEK6KHOlY1qQvvxej1fjyH9hIVqS~NoerZ5EWpG2tUDohRIUyPQgz~W1dQ7nCsUI3U5VNTmf2xJ~xPQMXlMchM9l79F5giGdQA~MecwwSOtUw7WxkmAHXajiZLJCqbRSzTpaEkuMWLqFJtux7Ra3IU-jm8SZTgi9tfJiDcCfvLgdohRXb0AcGwSQh6hLC53tjkx8aSnZnfkMzuRz6O5WxJCA7xXzsjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Peterson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, told the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on March 5 that nitrate contamination in parts of Minnesota developed over decades and will take a long-term effort to address.

\"It took decades to create the current nitrate conditions in Minnesota. It will take a concerted effort over many years to significantly improve our water resources,\" Peterson said, adding that Minnesota has taken significant actions and that the department is focused on expanding adoption of protective practices in high‑risk areas.

Margaret Wagner, manager of the fertilizer nonpoint section at MDA, described a mix of monitoring, regulatory and voluntary programs the agency is using in Southeast Minnesota. She said MDA combines the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan with the Groundwater Protection Rule to provide a voluntary and regulatory framework and that monitoring informs outreach and prioritization.

Wagner said the department completed a township testing program in 2019 to characterize private‑well nitrate levels in vulnerable areas, is expanding long‑term regional monitoring in streams, springs and field edges, and has installed new wells and continuous nitrate telemetry in the Prairie du Chien and Galena aquifers in Southeast Minnesota. She also said MDA loans spectrophotometers for community nitrate clinics and has released outreach materials and a peer‑reviewed article in the Hydrogeology Journal summarizing the monitoring.

On regulatory steps, Wagner said the Groundwater Protection Rule, in effect since 2019, restricts autumn fertilizer applications in vulnerable ground‑water areas. In Southeast Minnesota, she said, the fall‑application restriction applies to about 1,100,000 acres each year beginning Sept. 1. The rule also triggers intensified local work in communities whose public water supplies exceed specified nitrate thresholds.

Wagner described MDA’s work with local advisory teams and a township outreach approach that begins as a voluntary, intensive engagement with producers. She said MDA is applying that township approach this spring in a Houston County township, supported in part by Clean Water Fund appropriations.

She also reported implementation and grant outcomes: MDA has exceeded 1,000,000 acres certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) statewide; within an eight‑county Southeast region there are 277 MAWQCP farms covering about 221,000 acres. The department announced 90 soil‑health equipment grants statewide totaling about $2,790,000 and 27 grants in seven counties totaling about $815,000.

Wagner updated the committee on a private‑well nitrate mitigation appropriation of $2,800,000 from the prior session. MDA executed a joint powers agreement with Olmsted County and a Tap In Collaborative of eight counties to administer the program through the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. She said the first 135 reverse‑osmosis systems have been installed for private wells with nitrate over 10 milligrams per liter and that post‑treatment monitoring shows an average of about 1.7 milligrams per liter at the tap.

Committee members asked about relationships with the University of Minnesota Extension, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the program’s funding sources. Peterson and Wagner said MDA works closely with University of Minnesota researchers and Extension (including a recently funded university research scientist to update fertilizer BMPs), passes roughly half of its Clean Water Fund appropriations through local partners, and uses a mix of general fund, Clean Water Fund and other mechanisms. Peterson said the department has put $3,000,000 toward a network of about 70 new weather stations statewide to inform producers.

Peterson said MDA sees Minnesota as a national leader in addressing nitrate but reiterated that agricultural practice changes and groundwater improvements will be gradual.

Additional committee questions centered on program staffing, certification processes and the interplay between voluntary certification and the Groundwater Protection Rule. Wagner explained that MAWQCP is a comprehensive whole‑farm program while the Groundwater Protection Rule focuses on nitrogen management in vulnerable areas; the department leverages certification as a tool within rule implementation.

Committee Chair Putnam closed the item and opened the floor to the next agenda item.","Minnesota Department of Agriculture officials told a Senate committee that elevated nitrate in parts of Southeast Minnesota stems from decades of land use and geology, and outlined monitoring, outreach and treatment work underway, including township programs, monitoring wells and private well reverse-osmosis installations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate advances biofertilizer incentive bill with data‑privacy amendment; referred to Judiciary

Bill to certify ag retailers under 4R nutrient stewardship moves to judiciary after amendment

Committee endorses continued funding for soil‑health equipment grants; SF882 laid over

Senate hearing: Minnesota‑made fertilizer grant bill laid over after testimony from farmers and industry

MDA: Nitrate pollution in Southeast Minnesota groundwater is longstanding; solutions will take years