Rep. Jeanne Poppe and Minnesota Milk Producers Association Director and dairy farmer Rick Smith. Rep. Poppe was named Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Photo provided.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association presented Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, with its 2013 Legislator of the Year Award.

The award ceremony took place at the Midwest Dairy Expo, which was held at the St. Cloud Convention Center.

“I’m honored to be recognized by our state’s hard-working dairy farmers,” Poppe said. “We passed some good legislation this year that helps these businesses grow and stay competitive.”

The association credited Poppe for demonstrating support to dairy farmers, the dairy industry and rural Minnesota by her actions at the State Capitol.

“We appreciate the time and attention Rep. Poppe has provided dairy farmers and her positive working relationship with us,” said Pat Lunemann, President of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. “We are fortunate to have her working closely with us on issues affecting the Milk Producers.”

As chair of the Agriculture Policy Committee and a member of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee, Poppe worked this year to preserve the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation fund.

“The AGRI fund is an important tool that creates economic growth in rural Minnesota,” Poppe said. “It’s the sole source of funding for the Livestock Investment Grant Program, which helps dairy producers pay for new buildings, make renovations, or modernize their operations.”

The Livestock Investment Grant Program was first funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008. Since then, 179 grant recipients have invested an estimated $55 million in improvements to their operations.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants through Feb. 21, 2014.

Qualifying producers would be reimbursed 10 percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment. Producers who suffered a loss due to a natural disaster or unintended consequence may also apply. The grant will not pay for livestock or land purchases or for the cost of debt refinancing.

Minnesota livestock producers who applied for but did not receive a grant in past years will need to reapply to be considered for the program.

Application forms are available online at www.mda.state.mn.us.