[{"_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",6035164,"mediaKeyId","5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f","parentId",5107195,"title","House Ag Finance Committee hears Rural Finance Authority briefing, approves referral for bonding bill","audioSeconds",1629,"startMs",71000,"endMs",1700000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f&start=71&end=1700","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f/thumbnail_71000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035164/Minnesota/House-Ag-Finance-Committee-hears-Rural-Finance-Authority-briefing-approves-referral-for-bonding-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035164-0981025881ad7e6e7f9c298017370571/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154182&Signature=Qrz0TRiSV4sBxC5yq1rFnzXOev7f~~u1pm7diD59Kfv27RQkWzgAQmTv9LizxY9CK9cvAy5sgEyGbOANf3KoYB3tMkjRA-CdrI8drj90IROjAWXWyZXHBkm9Wd34zRZcQc96YkiZXRWdrDqHQh4~XV796q4~~roiQUIpkxbdJwRRhpl4l38n35NgbBswBl41GJHurPOxet3U2ncZ8NNbuNmGKUI1KfpLc9PIZfuPAWXUIcrWOwSzE3cfpTLprv~GuxcOYJLErVpan0Fqu0CAoxqJdcNdh7oF1nikl71Q6J-z60eEVsVVYnp2esWiueKsQZvIJlMsd5uSKNHT0gKZTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","Chair Anderson called the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee to order and the committee heard a presentation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority (RFA) on lending programs that serve Minnesota farmers.

The RFA, which Commissioner Tom Peterson described as “our bank for many different loan programs,” told the committee that its bond-funded and revolving loan funds are expected to be exhausted around December 2026 unless replenished. The committee adopted an amendment to House File 770 and referred the bill to the Committee on Capital Investment.

The RFA presentation, delivered by Commissioner Tom Peterson and Matt McDevitt (Ag Finance Supervisor, RFA), outlined the authority’s loan types and recent activity. McDevitt said the RFA administers 13 loan programs that partner with local lenders and use a shared‑risk model where the local lender closes loans and the RFA purchases about 45% of the loan.

Key figures cited during testimony:
- Last bonding authorization: $50,000,000 (2023); about $39,000,000 remained at the time of the presentation.
- The RFA has made more than 4,000 loans totaling roughly $417,000,000, with loan losses of just under $700,000 over that entire period (about 24 loans).
- The authority expected to exhaust available funds by December 2026 if no new bonding is authorized.

McDevitt described major programs: the beginning farmer loan (popular, about 70% of RFA loans; current interest rate cited at about 5% and net‑worth limits adjusted for inflation), an agriculture improvement loan for facilities and equipment, disaster recovery loans (0% interest and interest‑only first two years for some disaster loans), and a new USDA‑backed meat and poultry intermediary lending program funded by a $15,000,000 USDA grant.

Farmer testimony supported replenishment. Matt Hardy of Rust Hill Ranch, who said the RFA beginning farmer loan helped him buy 40 acres, told the committee the program “helped me purchase my own farm” and that the lower rate “saves me enough interest, each month, for example, to purchase 1 ton of hog feed.” Hunter Peterson of the Minnesota Farm Bureau told the committee the RFA “plays a critical role in ensuring that farmers, especially beginning farmers and those facing financial distress, have access to the capital they need.”

Committee action: Chair Anderson moved that House File 770 be re‑referred to the Committee on Capital Investment. The committee adopted an A1 amendment to correct a typographical error and an oral amendment reducing an issuance‑cost figure from $30,000,000 to $30,000; members voted by voice to adopt the amendments and to refer the bill. The transcript records voice votes (ayes) but does not record numerical tallies.

The committee discussion and the bill referral make bonding authority available for the RFA to draw on before anticipated shortages in late 2026. Committee members and testifiers emphasized RFA programs’ role in supporting beginning farmers and in responding to emergencies such as avian influenza and drought.

Ending: With the motion prevailing by voice vote, House File 770 was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. The RFA presenters and farmer testifiers said they would continue to work with lawmakers on timing and specific needs if new bonding authority is approved.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chair Anderson called the committee to order and the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee heard a Rural Finance Authority briefing and voted to refer House File 770 to the Capital Investment Committee after adopting technical amendments.","taxTitle","Agriculture Finance and Policy, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Minnesota","taxId",15655,"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},6035146,"Committee advances E15 infrastructure bill amendment; House File 43 laid over",756,2514000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f&start=2514&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f/thumbnail_2514000.jpg","/articles/6035146/Minnesota/Committee-advances-E15-infrastructure-bill-amendment-House-File-43-laid-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035146-9a0cae11687dbcc0911bc2b4e2d38091/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154182&Signature=VZmmm5Ii~8FtLDqTu9IR5KkzsBDF7bGc2lcgX7157mZbh07dpQL9Li8gauuq9oB7rHeTKZdl7LYwti5DmnDQZ-nBFH6i9frwzZ8HcAvj~45IfdNXLbia07Ydvo7POtYQx7g5MW0IJfidzwxe7to8Gw21rOTzl2DKP8rL8xkQ6xJBU7JL~QOwP15M7-cgZ1bRA0x3l0G9GTl7fTuS-mRKQ2utscUOvh4wI9NxPMzJXR8VThkGC1WhgoEgJuy0I53pTAD6YChX0RCQOPymUQCEFaEmJcwZ2da7tuMDKi8mynoD4DY4gzuQJibEk0BNJbVupV7xZIC8QU~Xwvc8CucVDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Anderson presented House File 43, a bill that funds and expands the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s biofuel infrastructure grant program that supports retail upgrades to dispense higher‑ethanol blends (E15, marketed as E88). The bill as amended raised the retail‑site participation cap from 15 to 20.

Brian Werner of the Minnesota Biofuels Association and Amanda Bilic of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association testified in support, citing program metrics and consumer savings. Werner said Minnesota surpassed 500 retail stations offering E15 (about 25% of 2,000 statewide stations) and cited 2024 statewide E15 sales of about 142,000,000 gallons — an 11% increase over 2023 — and an average price discount of about 17¢ per gallon last year. Chair Anderson estimated 2024 consumer savings statewide of roughly $22,700,000 from increased E15 usage.

Program history and funding details provided in testimony and committee staff analysis:
- The program has awarded about $9,500,000 in grants (over multiple rounds) with grantee matching of about $11,600,000 in private investment.
- The bill’s appropriation language proposes $4,500,000 in each fiscal year; the department’s base for this appropriation is $3,000,000, so the bill would represent an increase of $1,500,000 above base for the upcoming biennium (nonpartisan staff clarification).

Representative Vang asked whether expanding the retail‑site cap would allow chains to reapply if their number of eligible sites grew; Chair Anderson said expanded site thresholds could make more locations eligible and that grantees could apply for additional eligible sites. Representative Frederick asked about whether prior appropriations had been fully used and whether the program was reaching smaller retailers; testimony said the program has driven private investment and increased E15 availability, and staff noted the department evaluates applications to balance geographic distribution.

Action: Chair Anderson moved an A1 amendment (increasing retail dispensing sites from 15 to 20); the committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote. The bill as amended was laid over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

Ending: Members noted federal funding uncertainty for a federal biofuels infrastructure program and emphasized the state program’s role in increasing supply, consumer savings and rural economic benefit. Chair Anderson renewed the motion to lay the bill over and it was laid over.

","House File 43 (biofuel infrastructure grants) was amended to expand eligible retail dispensing site counts and was laid over. Supporters said expanded E15 access saves consumers money, increases ethanol sales and supports farmers.",{"_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},6035150,"Committee considers one‑word technical fix to bioincentive statute to restore advanced biofuel eligibility",207,2305000,2512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f&start=2305&end=2512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f/thumbnail_2305000.jpg","/articles/6035150/Minnesota/Committee-considers-oneword-technical-fix-to-bioincentive-statute-to-restore-advanced-biofuel-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035150-12e97017c900aa8dbf7866e4127eefb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154182&Signature=hzPDHP5YGg~keErnA8~Y2dAc7w2zn7CjJqfbZUjvSMXcbYq1mGVlKJUycBvukngBT-2EYL429Pjk0zVNpZRwnEQHiIp5CrYttym5f1AaGk4ejqbHnOpEu40xhQKA8sXUyhpvskV-9veZOpOrq1lq3LA0-z233qwy2wqjY9iwZmXPufhrcV2zY6isuP3i2Zlh31HBTX0CDvTH6akwswS49nkvE9wSv9RJM~LQrC8JRV8hZ6syCUQ0Ofny-ceIbifevqOWSeFyakol6yIw7C18L52TglFcz3qG~1UP5vUru9K50BxLzwnUy76UhP95V4rUPiqkj7P7eS1mpLSglOn4XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Anderson presented House File 1500, which would insert the word \"advanced\" into the statutory definition used by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Bioincentive Program. Proponents said the change is a technical correction to restore legislative intent so that producers of advanced biofuels are eligible for performance‑based payments.

Brian Werner, Executive Director of the Minnesota Biofuels Association, told the committee advanced biofuel is defined as a renewable fuel with at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with petroleum. He said some Minnesota ethanol plants that have invested to produce corn kernel fiber ethanol — which he characterized as reducing emissions by about 70% versus petroleum in lifecycle modeling — had been denied entry to the program after a 2023 drafting error removed the word \"advanced\" from the statutory definition.

Werner explained qualification requirements for the bioincentive program as described to the committee: a producer must expand or retrofit capacity specifically to produce advanced biofuel, be located in Minnesota, source 80% of biomass in‑state, and not have produced more than a statutory production cap for advanced biofuel prior to 2015 (he cited the cap equivalence of about 1,240,000 gallons per year). He said the 2023 drafting omission had unintentionally caused the department to interpret the cap against overall biofuel production rather than new advanced biofuel production.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about evidence of emissions reductions and whether the reductions cited were modeled or monitored; Werner said the 70% figure is based on lifecycle modeling.

Ending: Chair Anderson said the bill would be laid over and the committee complied; the record includes a letter from the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota supporting the change.

","House File 1500 would add the word 'advanced' to restore the statute’s intent so that advanced biofuel producers — for example facilities producing corn kernel fiber ethanol — qualify for the Department of Agriculture’s Bioincentive Program; the committee laid the bill over.",{"_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},6035155,"Department of Agriculture presents AGRI program overview and recent grant activity",965,2452000,3417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f&start=2452&end=3417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f/thumbnail_2452000.jpg","/articles/6035155/Minnesota/Department-of-Agriculture-presents-AGRI-program-overview-and-recent-grant-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035155-6f93ab2c40b2625b15efd00d6e170fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154182&Signature=QLA~pRlcStQVRNmg~wL-V~0Xqpu2lflo9dW6UVjfNd0xCnPqbXvcoWjrKVuihuHFPAPZ~PYyQuljFztNcBwriqsYYcWBTVeDZLY8sRHff2LAwlEXgC-vHAOAf62A7hJ22s6ymkcX6GKrPs4C3XzbKkAN9i4wNzOvSmJUv-P1zv6MvHe7hfjD7upu5d4qHWRSLuF~mZanJJgqwER0ivKwl0MSziXxfFiSCvo89GqUMhknmhnTUWSeMtXf8Lr4sWrudbjl1odG0amWV5sGO9sgzqtOvST~5tKXeN-hLpVemUw2~aaZx82mcVBImjXYwESSmgkPEO0m3hWZoVp4~ZlXoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paul Huguenen, director of the Ag Marketing and Development Division at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), presented an overview of the AGRI (Agriculture Growth, Research and Innovation) program and its grant portfolio to the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee.

Huguenen explained AGRI’s funding mix (designated earmarks plus undesignated funds) and how undesignated funds allow the department to respond to changing industry needs and federal matching opportunities. He said designated spending in the current fiscal year totaled about $21,660,000 and that the remaining undesignated funds available for general competitive programs were roughly $5,800,000 for that year.

Highlights Huguenen reviewed included:
- AGRI supports 16 different programs, including livestock investment grants, value‑added grants, farm business management scholarships and sustainable agriculture demonstration grants.
- The RFA‑style Protect grants (for disease preparedness, electronic ID, biosecurity) were created from undesignated AGRI funds after stakeholder conversations about risks such as chronic wasting disease, African swine fever and avian influenza; the program received 127 requests for nearly $1,000,000 and awarded just short of $400,000 in fiscal 2024.
- The Prepare grants (preparing for extreme weather) stem from lessons learned during severe drought response work; they fund infrastructure such as irrigation, pond dredging and hail netting. In the prior year the program had requests of about $1,500,000 and awarded just under $500,000.
- The department uses external reviewers and three‑year grant terms for projects that require longer timelines (for example, livestock facility construction or multi‑year research grants).

Huguenen noted that the department strives to exceed Office of Grants Management standards and pointed to an Office of the Legislative Auditor review: auditors examined $14,500,000 of payments and recommended reclaiming only one‑tenth of 1%.

Ending: Huguenen encouraged members to review the AGRI legislative report, which includes grantee spotlights and maps showing where livestock investment grants and other projects have been funded across the state. Committee members asked about long‑term outcomes and the department said it completed a third‑party follow‑up survey in recent years showing that most respondents reported increased gross revenue as a result of AGRI projects.

","The Minnesota Department of Agriculture briefed the House Ag Finance Committee on the AGRI program’s structure, funding mix, competitive grant programs, and newly created 'Protect' and 'Prepare' grants that respond to disease and extreme weather risks.",{"_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},6035159,"Committee hears AURI funding requests; House Files 857 and 38 held over",725,1714000,2439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f&start=1714&end=2439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107195-ee5b481408a0531ac44956c55c223a2f/thumbnail_1714000.jpg","/articles/6035159/Minnesota/Committee-hears-AURI-funding-requests-House-Files-857-and-38-held-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035159-078e3d0e3a66569940a4c1bfe6d4c763/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154182&Signature=lqkADK0CdvswvB-e0exj9BcuMFUU8denqkJA8AGZeYTxZDvz4OQEHOY21SYrbX-Kay6lToEiEDBvJgPHIjRWENimZ8xYt94InoKw9Fe7fHHMTyQNAe3srMjwz671YH-f-91mx60SnTyY67JIyypdVW9dih0TKqDrnY2XxkICrNm0D-t3WhbjJ5ytWovwg~M68xfonBddPg-wEvqWfbGt3n-4y0u4cxpXBlFZEC0CHyb~cenEiiZhde9Wc1OAQDKBEC0jYQNHaXi3aT-K8QNF4iVS-7nM0H62ts-sKrsiqZPGBnPXSl2bhAIXcyTAkGJ~xqpCRpX5udmDVkbpXxOIew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nelson moved House File 857, a funding bill for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI). Testimony from AURI leaders described the institute’s work converting raw agricultural commodities into higher‑value products and requested a modest budget increase to keep pace with rising operating costs.

Dan Sparks (director of government and community relations for AURI) and Shannon Schlicht (AURI executive director) told the committee the requested increase would help offset rising salaries, facility and rental costs, and allow the institute to continue technical assistance and commercialization support. Schlicht said AURI worked on more than 200 projects with Minnesota businesses in the prior year and cited about a 45:1 return on state investment in terms of new capital, sales and jobs created.

Nonpartisan fiscal staff (Mr. Savory) told the committee the bill would increase AURI’s base by $175,000 per fiscal year — $350,000 over the biennium — and that, because the proposed bill lacks one‑time language, the increase would carry into the following biennium.

Representative Gander separately moved House File 38, a bill matching the governor’s request (a lower dollar amount) for AURI. He said he supported the higher amount but moved the governor’s recommended marker as a fallback. The committee held both measures over for further consideration.

AURI and stakeholders emphasized the institute’s role in helping small businesses and producers turn commodities into value‑added products, and said that small investments in AURI leverage additional private capital.

Ending: House Files 857 and 38 were held over; committee members encouraged colleagues to review AURI materials and, where possible, tour AURI sites to observe projects and products.

","The committee received testimony from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and its supporters on modest budget increases; House File 857 (Representative Nelson) and House File 38 (Representative Gander) proposing increases were held over for further consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Ag Finance Committee hears Rural Finance Authority briefing, approves referral for bonding bill

Committee advances E15 infrastructure bill amendment; House File 43 laid over

Committee considers one‑word technical fix to bioincentive statute to restore advanced biofuel eligibility

Department of Agriculture presents AGRI program overview and recent grant activity

Committee hears AURI funding requests; House Files 857 and 38 held over