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Lawmakers hear proposal to create grants for Black farmers; A‑1 amendment adopted and bill laid over
Summary
Senate File 1387 would create grants to support historically Black farmers through a fiscal agent; an A‑1 amendment clarifying fiscal agent and eligible farms was adopted by voice vote. Committee members questioned scale, administrative fees and organizational capacity; the file was laid over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 1387, which would direct grants to support Minnesota Black farmers through a fiscal agent, received testimony and an amendment Tuesday before the Minnesota Senate Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy. Senator Hoffman presented an A‑1 amendment that identified a fiscal agent and widened eligible beneficiaries; the committee adopted the A‑1 amendment by voice vote and then heard testimony from farmer advocates and cooperative leaders.
The bill’s sponsor described the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) as the proposed fiscal agent and explained that grants would support historically and culturally significant Black farms, upgrade infrastructure and expand educational and tourism opportunities. Angela Dawson of the 40 Acre Cooperative, Yaya Cochran of Mahogany Farms and Peace Mitchell (testifying remotely) explained farm‑level needs including greenhouse repairs, hay processing and equipment access. Testimony emphasized the cultural and historical importance of multi‑generational Black farms and described outreach and education that connect urban communities to agricultural sites.
Committee members pressed for fiscal detail. Senators asked about NDC administrative fees, the Black Farmers Association’s organizational history and whether matching funds exist. Witnesses described the association as roughly two years old while several member farms have longer histories; they said NDC has past experience as a fiscal agent and that detailed administrative fee levels would be provided to the committee. Senator Acorn noted the apparent gap between prior reported gross receipts (under $50,000 in recent IRS filings) and the scale of funds requested, and Senator Eichhorn suggested caution on doubling the ask until more financial detail is submitted.
The committee adopted the A‑1 amendment and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus package. Members requested a clearer budget, information about administrative fees and documentation of fundraising or matching commitments before further committee action.
