(St. Paul, MN) – Today, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed a bill to aid farmers with safety, mental health, production, and advocacy. The legislation, headed up by Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake), passed through committees earlier this year without opposition and took into consideration the stressed agricultural economy.

While discussing the bill on the Senate floor and highlighting recent food chain disruptions in Minnesota and the nation, Sen. Westrom stated, “This bill hits on the greatest needs we have in our rural areas and agricultural community. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone, so we have to do what we can to protect our food supply chain and our farmers. They are in a dire situation, as processors and restaurants are shut down.  Supporting farmers is the key message here.”

The bill focuses on safety in multiple facets.  On a preventative level, there is an appropriation to fund research through the Veterinary Diagnostic Labs (VDL) at the University of Minnesota. Improvement of the technology and efficiency of this disease testing lab was one of the key requests from every agriculture commodity group in the state. Research at the VDL will greatly enhance the response ability of the state from large scale animal diseases, such as the Avian Flu and African Swine Flu. Grain bin and silo safety was also a focus in the Senate with grants to help farmers buy grain bin safety equipment and technology. These follow years of horrific injury and death in grain bin or silo accidents and are hoped to lessen those incidents in years to come.

Covid response was the defining portion of this year’s legislative session and is included in Senate File 4395.  Eligible farmers working to refinance their operations may receive loan origination fee grants, which can account for up to 50% of the value of loans taken out during the COVID-19 crisis. For production, $20,000 was appropriated to expand local meat markets for local business and processing capacity. Grants were also made available to local grocers for Personal Protective Equipment. Many small grocers and food handlers had to unexpectedly invest in protective equipment such as masks, plexiglass shields, and educational materials.

In a nod to burgeoning mental health awareness, farm advocate services may be eligible for reimbursement through the federal CARES Act.  These farm advocates not only help farmers in a financial crisis but connect them to mental health services. Connection to these services is vital, as farmers are at high risk for untreated mental health crises, especially in this difficult agricultural economy.

“We salute the farmers in the state for the wonderful work they have done to keep our food supply chain alive during this difficult time,” concluded Senator Westrom.