This column by MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen first appeared in the July-August 2025 issue of Soybean Business. Click here to to read the digital version.

Minnesota agriculture is set up for success after a unique legislative session that saw an evenly divided House of Representatives and. split Senate. On May 23, Governor Walz signed the Agriculture and Broadband Development Policy and Finance Bill and the Legacy Finance Bill into law. The Ag Bill funds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, while the Legacy Bill makes major investments in our soil and water resources.

We were able to work closely with lawmakers throughout the session to craft budget bills that invest in agriculture, our farmers and ranchers. I want to thank the House and Senate chairs in each of the committees for their hard work and dedication.

The bill provides many benefits to all Minnesotans, including food for those in need, support for mental health and farm safety resources, and protection of our natural resources. It is a major win for our ag community and was successful thanks to support from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

Highlights of the Ag Bill include a onetime increase of $1.5 million in funding to the Ag Emergency Account in Fiscal Year 2026. The account helps the state respond to agricultural disasters and animal diseases like avian influenza. New funding is also available for the Protect Grants, specifically for avian influenza. There is also new funding for rural mental health and farm safety. As advocates for our farmers, you know how important it is to invest in the health and safety of those who work hard day in and day out to grow our food. This funding will continue the important work that MSGA has made a priority. Biofuels also remain a priority with the Biofuels Infrastructure Grant. The Ag Bill expands eligibility to retail petroleum dispensing sites from 10 to 20 locations, allowing more stations across the state to tap into the grant and expand ethanol use.

The Ag Bill increases funding to the Farm Down Payment Assistance Program. This grant helps qualified farmers purchase their first farm. The amount of each award will also increase from $15,000 to $20,000 per grantee. Maintaining program funding is as important as new funding. With the help of MSGA, we can continue supporting international trade development staff. Ag exports have been at or near record levels over the years thanks to connections we can make with Minnesota farmers and buyers across the globe.

In the Legacy Bill, funding will continue for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Thanks to MSGA’s support for the program, over 1.18 million acres are now enrolled across Minnesota and thousands of new conservation practices have been implemented. The Soil Health Equipment Grants will also see continued funding into the next biennium. The Minnesota Ag Weather Network will continue its expansion with more funding. Soybean growers across the state will have access to real-time weather information as we build the network across central and southern Minnesota.

Again, thanks to MSGA for your continued advocacy at the Capitol. These budget bills will shape our work for the next two years and set us up for a positive future. Agriculture continues to be the cornerstone of our state’s economy, and making these investments will continue to be our priority.