The Minnesota House of Representatives on Friday approved a new Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing budget on a vote of 114-14.

This legislation establishes a budget for the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), the Housing Finance Agency, and broadband development.

“This is a budget that benefits all the varied aspects of agriculture and food production. I want to thank my fellow conferees from the House and Senate, as well as the members of our division in the House, for the bipartisan work we did to invest in the future of our farmers,” said Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), Chair of the Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division through a press release. “We’re funding new and emerging innovations that will benefit our agriculture and food economies, while also addressing our struggling farm communities. The investments in this budget protect agriculture and food production, deliver products to more people, and place Minnesota at the forefront of the industry.”

The lack of accessible mental health care and assistance for rural communities has compounded the issues many farmers are currently facing.

This budget includes a multi-pronged solution by investing in rural mental health, providing an additional staffer for the Minnesota Farm Advocates program and funding mental health programming at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

This budget also addresses family farms affected by the trade war with China. It will establish mutually beneficial markets by providing fresh produce to Minnesota’s students through the Farm to School program. Increased funding in our trade and marketing efforts at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will also be put to good use selling the products of our farmers both at home and abroad.

A lack of reliable, high-speed broadband internet service remains a significant barrier for many of Minnesota’s communities, making it difficult for students to learn and for small businesses to compete. The House DFL fought for a $40 million investment in the state’s border-to-border broadband program, delivering rural communities access to the internet speeds they deserve.

“The shortage of affordable housing is a serious issue in all regions of Minnesota and impacts families, communities, and economic health and competitiveness,” said Rep. Alice Hausman, Chair of the Housing Policy and Finance Division. “Although the final bill doesn’t fulfill all of the needs that exist, it does make some progress in solving this difficult issue. I am committed to continuing our effort next session and for as long as it takes.”

The Housing components of the budget push Minnesota forward by increasing investments for workforce housing, providing a pathway to homeownership for low-income renters, and finding stable housing for Minnesota’s homeless students.

Other highlights of the investments in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing budget include:

• $5 million for the Dairy Assistance Investment, and Relief Initiative (DAIRI)
• $5 million for a new Soybean Innovation Campus
• $2 million for research funding in diseases harmful to the agricultural economy
• Development of the state’s industrial hemp economy
• $3.5 million increase in Homework Starts with Home, connecting families to housing rental assistance with collaboration between schools and housing providers
• $3.5 million increase in Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance
• Rental assistance for tenants experiencing mental illness
• Expansion of rights for manufactured home park residents, including the opportunity to purchase their park when facing closure