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