Department of Agriculture outlines budget requests and statutory changes including biofuels, AGri grants and licensing updates

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented its budget requests and a package of statutory changes to the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, describing modest general‑fund operations requests and a wide set of program and fee adjustments the agency says will modernize licensing and expand eligible uses of existing grant programs.

Why it matters: the proposals would change who qualifies for state AGRI grants, adjust fee schedules that fund regulatory services, and shift eligibility rules for biofuels and livestock investment grants — decisions that affect producers, retail fuel sites, cooperatives and small businesses across Minnesota.

Top items and agency rationale: Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vawbel and MDA staff listed several items the governor proposed or the agency supports.

- General fund request: MDA asked for $557,000 in fiscal 2026 and $1,127,000 annually thereafter to maintain current service levels and absorb rising operating costs including rent and employer-paid benefits.

- Food licensing modernization: MDA seeks statutory amendments to modernize food licensing (chapters 28A and 31) to simplify administration and create a new category…