Minnesota Department of Agriculture Update on Nitrates in Southeast MN Water

Testifiers: Thom Petersen – Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Margaret Wagner – Fertilizer Non-Point Section Manager, MDA

S.F. 303: Senator Lang: Minnesota-made fertilizer grant program establishment and appropriation.

Testifiers: Rany Tersteeg – Beaver Creek Transport and Trojan Nutrients, LLC, Thom Petersen – Commissioner, MDA

Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 303, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 882: Senator Gustafson: Soil health financial assistance program appropriation.

Testifiers: Dana Allen-Tully – Chair, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Board, Carolyn Olson – Vice President, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Peter Schwagerl – Prairie Point Farm, Minnesota Farmers Union, Rhyan Schicker – District Manager, Lac Qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District, Peder Kjeseth – Assistant Commissioner, MDA Senator Gustafson moves A-1 amendment, amendment is adopted.

Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 882, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 1840: Senator Kupec: Grant program appropriation to promote certain nutrient management practices.

Testifiers: Lee Helgen – Executive Director, Minnesota Crop Production Retailers, Peder Kjeseth – Assistant Commissioner, MDA Senator Kupec makes the motion, the A-1 amendment is adopted.

Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 1840, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 1575: Senator Kupec: Biofertilizer water preservation program establishment and appropriation.

Testifiers: Cameron Henning – Commercial Agronomist, Pivot Bio Senator Kupec moves A-2 amendment, amendment is adopted. Senator Westrom moves A-4 Amendment, amendment is adopted.

Senator Gustafson moved that S.F. 1575, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.