Transcript Highlights:

• > be these beginning farmer applicants to be these beginning farmer applicants to be able<00:10
• Small Kentucky farmers, especially folks, a lot of our farmers are beginning farmers.
• Small Kentucky farmers, especially folks, a lot of our farmers are beginning farmers.
• Small Kentucky farmers, especially folks, a lot of our farmers are beginning farmers.
• Small Kentucky farmers, especially folks, a lot of our farmers are beginning farmers.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:50 Approval of Minutes 00:01:21 KOAP Report 00:01:42 Community Farm Alliance and KY Double Dollars 00:20:25 Feeding Kentucky 00:40:55, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs. A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations. The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:39.599> farmer,<00:08:40.000> the really hits at the beginning farmer, the really
• hits at the beginning farmer, the starting<00:08:40.479> out<00:08:40.719> farmer<00:08
• They explained that, for the beginning farmer tax credit, the current verification methods include a
• > just<00:36:50.480> to the beginning farmer tax credit just to the beginning farmer tax credit
• <00:48:57.599> farmer apparently the words emerging farmer apparently the words emerging farmer

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota beginning farmer tax credit was created to incentivize farmers to help beginning farmers
• <00:41:18.240> uh<00:41:18.319> was beginning farmer tax credit uh was beginning farmer
• > through<00:41:22.240> selling help beginning farmers through selling help beginning farmers
• beginning farmer tax credit that uh our beginning farmer tax credit that uh our uh<00:42:36.480> egg
• a variety of reasons why a beginning a variety of reasons why a beginning farmer,<00:42:58.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh on the beginning farmer tax credit. uh on the beginning farmer tax credit.
• beginning farmer tax credit at the MDA. beginning farmer tax credit at the MDA.
• <00:03:24.720> farmers owners who work with beginning farmers owners who work with beginning
• If the beginning farmer is also 8%.
• <00:19:03.760> and beginning farmer programs at USDA and beginning farmer programs at USDA

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To address one of the largest challenges California's beginning, and large challenges California's beginning
• farmers and ranchers.
• Increasing land tenure for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers Development and create new opportunities
• It's nothing better when the farmers come into my office.
• On behalf of the Community Alliance for Family Farmers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers.
• farmers. >> Mr.
• farmers. >> Mr.
• <00:15:16.959> farmers, those young beginning farmers, those young beginning farmers, >
• This is a bill aimed to help young beginning farmers. The funds are available.

Bills: HF3298, SF3832, HF3528, HF3516, HF3972, HF4118

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, dentistry, licensure, registration

Transcript Highlights:

• for beginning farmers. for beginning farmers.
• <00:05:31.680> farmer,<00:05:32.120> you beginning farmer, you beginning farmer, you >
• is for beginning farmers. is for beginning farmers.
• , not just beginning farmers.
• all farmers, not just beginning farmers. all farmers, not just beginning farmers. Chair.

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know this here, but it's hard to earn a good living as a beginning farmer.
• Um, we all know this here, but it's hard to earn a good living as a beginning farmer.
• creates challenges for beginning creates challenges for beginning farmers,<01:36:54.920> as<01
• c> and grants, beginning farmer tax credit, and grants, beginning farmer tax credit, and farmland
• I'm a beginning farmer in Taylors Falls.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the promise of that credit is that beginning farmers are able to go to existing farmers, landowners
• rely on the beginning farmer tax credit. rely on the beginning farmer tax credit.
• promise of that credit is that beginning promise of that credit is that beginning farmers<00:53:
• <00:54:11.880> farmers This change will allow beginning farmers This change will allow beginning
• <01:05:11.480> farmer lifting the cap on the beginning farmer lifting the cap on the beginning

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For our communities and our local farmers.
• Farmers are still getting the benefit of a biological nitrogen source, meaning that farmers will likely
• farmers.
• Key takeaway: it's a great program for farmers, with strong farmer engagement.
• To break it down simply, this program is farmer-friendly and provides different options for farmers.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> black for uh farmers, young farmers, uh black for uh farmers, young farmers, uh black and<00:09
• it helps farmers.
• We need all farmers it helps farmers.
• . farmers. farmers.
• director for Minnesota Farmers Union. director for Minnesota Farmers Union.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also a beginning farmer, and my partner and I co-own Little Bean Farm and Pantry, where we grow
• I am also a beginning farmer, and my partner and I co-own Little Bean Farm and Pantry, where we grow
• farmers.
• the generational continuity of this noble work, instilling in beginning farmers that the Commonwealth
• , young farmers, and trained farmers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pig farmers in Minnesota's Pork Producers Association look forward to continuing the beginning of this
• Pig farmers in Minnesota's Pork Producers Association look forward to continuing the beginning of this
• Pig farmers in Minnesota's Pork Producers Association look forward to continuing the beginning of this
• Pig farmers in Minnesota's Pork Producers Association look forward to continuing the beginning of this
• Pig farmers in Minnesota's Pork Producers Association look forward to continuing the beginning of this

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the January 21, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation on its report about Minnesota’s environmental permitting system. The presenters said the report was based on research by Barr Engineering and the Policy Navigation Group and argued that permitting delays can discourage investment and make Minnesota less competitive for manufacturing, mining, energy, clean tech, and other industrial projects. They highlighted that Tier 1 permits are generally issued quickly, but Tier 2 air and water permits often take much longer than the state’s 150-day goal, with some median timelines ranging from 419 to 771 days for Tier 2 air permits and similar delays for industrial water permits. The report also said Minnesota’s permit timelines were longer than peer states and estimated that reducing delays could increase annual output by $260 million to $910 million and support 960 to 3,400 additional full-time-equivalent jobs per year. Committee members asked about which businesses fall under Tier 2 permits, the economic impact of permitting delays, and whether the Chamber had discussed the report with the governor or MPCA. The presenters said Tier 2 permits typically involve higher-emitting facilities such as manufacturing, utilities, mining, and other industrial operations, and that the economic estimates were based on modeling rather than exact lost-job counts. They also noted that the governor had been briefed and that MPCA had been invited to the hearing but did not attend. The committee then took up House File 8, which Chair Heintzeman said is intended to improve permitting efficiency while maintaining environmental standards. He described provisions that would reduce the number of 60-day wetland application extensions, require MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, break out data on missed timelines by municipal versus industrial applicants, treat failure to meet the 150-day Tier 2 deadline as a final action subject to judicial review, and require quicker notice when applications are incomplete. He also outlined sections that would allow separate construction and operating permits, expand expedited permitting, and change environmental assessment worksheet petition rules. The bill was moved to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, and the discussion began, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• certified farmers' markets, fishermen's markets, and tribal farmers' markets, and the certified mobile
• certified farmers' markets, fishermen's markets, and tribal farmers' markets, and the certified mobile
• certified mobile farmers' markets.
• For instance, the two categories related to farmers' markets, CDFA does have a role in overseeing farmers
• When we look at farmers markets, there's also a great fish-to-farmers markets program up in Del Norte

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the administration’s spending plan for Proposition 4’s climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters, along with related trailer bill language. CDFA outlined proposed funding for existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, Urban Agriculture, and invasive species work, plus new or phased-in programs including year-round and mobile farmers’ markets, tribal food sovereignty, and regional farm equipment sharing. The Department of Conservation described funding for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and Working Lands and Riparian Corridors Program, while the Department of Finance and LAO discussed pending allocations and generally found the overall approach reasonable, though LAO suggested the Legislature may want more statutory guidance and reporting, especially for new programs. Members focused on implementation details, equity, and accountability. Questions covered how programs would serve vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, whether new solicitations would be reopened for previously oversubscribed grants, how outcomes are tracked, and how to structure guidance for new programs such as farm equipment sharing. The chair emphasized that the Legislature wants clearer direction on program design and noted that AB 2313 should guide implementation of the regional farm equipment sharing allocation. The committee also discussed the administration’s request to directly appropriate bond funds to departments and to exempt bond program guidelines from the Administrative Procedures Act; LAO supported the APA exemption with possible legislative guardrails for public notice and comment. The committee then heard on the farm-to-school proposal, with CDFA requesting $24.9 million General Fund for incubator grants, technical assistance, and network support. CDFA said the program has reached nearly half of California schoolchildren and has shown strong demand and positive evaluation results. LAO supported the core program but recommended rejecting the $3 million technical assistance component as too broad and suggested the Legislature consider using Proposition 98 for some of the funding. Members debated that point, with some expressing concern about using General Fund dollars for a new discretionary request during a tight budget year. The biodiversity and nature-based solutions chapter included funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and tribal nature-based solutions. WCB described major recent investments and proposed projects tied to 30 by 30, habitat restoration, tribal partnerships, and public access. Members raised concerns about long-term stewardship, the size of the WCB allocation, and whether the Legislature should receive more detail on how funds will be distributed. The committee also heard requests for Bolsa Chica wetlands maintenance and Rincon Island decommissioning funding from the State Lands Commission, with members questioning long-term liability, remediation costs, and the role of private oil operators. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with public comment from stakeholders largely supporting the APA exemption, farm-to-school funding, biodiversity investments, and related conservation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there it's a subscription program where people pay the farmers at the beginning of the season so
• And then most recently, through a USDA beginning farmer rancher development program, we created the Kentucky
• > farmer<00:15:08.880> rancher a USDA beginning farmer rancher a USDA beginning farmer
• So you're a shareholder in the farm, and they pay the farmer at the beginning of the season.
• pay the farmer at the beginning<00:35:18.079> of<00:35:18.240> the<00:35:18.400> season

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• distress, beginning farmers, farmers in distress, beginning farmers, farmers in distress, and<00:
• Beginning farmers, specialty crop farmers, Black farmers, historically undercapitalized producers, we
• > specialty<00:54:40.000> crop beginning farmers, specialty crop beginning farmers, specialty
• Chairman: the beginning farmer tax credit bill and the extension of the farmer lender mediation act.
• Mr. chairman, the beginning carried, Mr. chairman, the beginning farmer<01:09:49.440> tax<01:09

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 18 amends the definition of beginning farmer in the beginning farmer tax credit program to include
• <00:35:27.040> loans<00:35:27.280> to amends the beginning farmer loans to amends the beginning
• <00:35:37.119> farmer beginning farmer in the beginning farmer beginning farmer in the beginning
• That's from Senate File 1419, authored by Senator Putnam. beginning farmer tax credit program. beginning
• beginning farmer tax credit program. beginning farmer tax credit program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• makes it harder for family farms to maintain their businesses and especially beginning farmers looking
• I think we heard Minnesota Farmers Farmers<00:46:40.200> Union<00:46:40.760> against,<
• farmers. Thank you for your time. farmers. Thank you for your time.
• begin your testimony. Uh thank you, Mr. begin your testimony. Uh thank you, Mr.
• We urge you to let farmers states.

Bills: HF4740, HF3940

Keywords: financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules

Summary: The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed. Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it. MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, as you saw, there was quite a large number of them that were really beginning farmers, you
• were uh you know really beginning were uh you know really beginning Farmers<00:01:18.880> you
• <00:03:36.959> Union behalf of the Minnesota Farmers Union behalf of the Minnesota Farmers
• So in closing, I can't express enough the benefit of this program for beginning and experienced farmers
• So in closing, I can't express enough the benefit of this program for beginning and experienced farmers

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• About 30% are beginning farmers, so they’re not necessarily young; they’re just in their early stage
• <00:26:57.399> farmer<00:26:58.240> so about 30% are beginning farmer so about 30%
• That's amazing that 30% of the students you have are beginning farmers.
• Certainly, when it comes to beginning farmers, there are some obstacles out there.
• were uh you know really beginning were uh you know really beginning Farmers<00:47:42.640> you

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house