Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Present: Senator Aric Putnam - Chair, Senator Robert J. Kupec - Vice Chair, Senator Torrey N. Westrom - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Gary H. Dahms, Senator Gene Dornink, Senator Heather Gustafson, Senator Michael W. Holmstrom, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Judy Seeberger
Absent: No Members Absent
3:00 PM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Minutes
Present: Senator Aric Putnam - Chair, Senator Robert J. Kupec - Vice Chair, Senator Torrey N. Westrom - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Gary H. Dahms, Senator Gene Dornink, Senator Heather Gustafson, Senator Michael W. Holmstrom, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Judy Seeberger
Absent: No Members Absent
Senator Aric Putnam called the meeting to order at 3:08pm
Women in Agriculture Presentation
Testifiers: Susanne Hinrichs – Extension Educator, University of Minnesota, Aubree Paplow – Farmer, Graff Feedlots LLC, Hilary Paplow – Farmer, Graff Feedlots LLC, Elizabeth Golombiecki – Dairy Farmer, Stevens County, Cherilyn Spears – Red Lake Nation Food Initiative, Red Lake Nation, Andrea Vaubel – Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Testifiers: Susanne Hinrichs – Extension Educator, University of Minnesota, Aubree Paplow – Farmer, Graff Feedlots LLC, Hilary Paplow – Farmer, Graff Feedlots LLC, Elizabeth Golombiecki – Dairy Farmer, Stevens County, Cherilyn Spears – Red Lake Nation Food Initiative, Red Lake Nation, Andrea Vaubel – Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
S.F. 3386: Senator Kunesh: Women's Environmental Institute grant appropriation from the commissioner of agriculture for a farmer incubator project.
Testifiers: Karen Clark – Executive Director, Women’s Environmental Institute, Farhio Khalif – Executive Director, Somali American Farmers Institute Senator Kunesh moves A-1 amendment. Amendment adopted.
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 3386, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: Karen Clark – Executive Director, Women’s Environmental Institute, Farhio Khalif – Executive Director, Somali American Farmers Institute Senator Kunesh moves A-1 amendment. Amendment adopted.
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 3386, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 3891: Senator Maye Quade: Permission to donate eggs past their quality assurance date.
Testifiers: April Rog – Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects, Open Cupboard
Senator Westrom moved that S.F. 3891, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: April Rog – Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects, Open Cupboard
Senator Westrom moved that S.F. 3891, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 4263: Senator Kupec: Biofuel sales volume incentive program establishment.
Testifiers: Alex Trunnell – Public Policy Manager, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Brian Werner – Executive Director, Minnesota Biofuels Association, Patrick Hynes – POETS, Andrea Vaubel – Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Senator Kupec offers A-1 amendment. Amendment adopted. Senator Holmstrom offers A-2 amendment. Amendment adopted.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 4263, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: Alex Trunnell – Public Policy Manager, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Brian Werner – Executive Director, Minnesota Biofuels Association, Patrick Hynes – POETS, Andrea Vaubel – Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Senator Kupec offers A-1 amendment. Amendment adopted. Senator Holmstrom offers A-2 amendment. Amendment adopted.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 4263, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation on Woodwaste
Testifiers: Greg Krogstad – CEO, Rainbow Tree Company, Rick Hogan – District Manager, Davey Tree Co, Rick Hogan – District Manager, Davey Tree Co *** Gavel passed to Senator Kupec *** 4:46pm *** Gavel passed to Senator Putnam *** 4:46pm Karen Zumach – Director of Community Forestry, Treetrust
Testifiers: Greg Krogstad – CEO, Rainbow Tree Company, Rick Hogan – District Manager, Davey Tree Co, Rick Hogan – District Manager, Davey Tree Co *** Gavel passed to Senator Kupec *** 4:46pm *** Gavel passed to Senator Putnam *** 4:46pm Karen Zumach – Director of Community Forestry, Treetrust
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53pm
|
Senator Aric Putnam, Chair |
Keely Spens, Legislative Assistant |