Accessibility menu
State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
GUEST COLUMN
LIVESTOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED
By State Rep. Paul Anderson
Even though many dairy and livestock producers are simply trying to hang on and weather the current economic situation, applications are once again being accepted from livestock farmers who hope to obtain grants in order to improve their operations.
The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture livestock investment grants are for the purposes of improving or expanding livestock production in this state. Awards are for 10 percent of a project with a minimum expense of $4,000 and a maximum expense of $500,000.
The Legislature enacted the grants during the 2008 session and re-funded the program in 2009. The grants have been quite popular with applications exceeding available funds.
All livestock species are eligible in Minnesota. The grant covers:
• The acquisition, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock or livestock products;
• The acquisition of equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management;
• The development of pasture for use by livestock.
Grant applications will be competitively scored using an evaluation profile and ranked on their relative merit in each category. A committee will evaluate the applications and notify recipients early next year. If you applied for, but were not granted a grant in 2008, your application remains active and will be considered along with 2009 applicants.
Grant applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 30; e-mailed or faxed copies will not be accepted. Call (800) 967-2474 or log on to www.mda.state.mn.us for more information regarding eligibility terms or to obtain an application.
With the Minnesota budget still facing red ink, there has been some confusion as to what that deficit number actually is. Some are using a figure around $7 billion for the out-year biennium shortfall, while others have mentioned a number closer to $4.4 billion.
Here is how the two different numbers are derived, according to the office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). The $7.1 billion figure factors in inflation, which accounts for $1.2 billion. It also restores the GAMC line-item veto of Governor Pawlenty, which adds $900 million. It also makes the assumption that the school property tax recognition shift is restored ($600 million), the K-12 education shift is paid back immediately ($1.2 billion), and all other unallotment cuts are restored.
The official number being used by MMB is the $4.4 billion figure. To get to that number, inflation is not factored in, the GAMC cut is maintained, and the school property tax recognition shift is not restored.
Every once in a while a human interest story captures the true spirit of human goodness. A story such as that was aired on Channel 4 recently. It had to do with a young man who attends Montevideo High School being part of their homecoming royalty. Eighteen-year old Marcus Jerve has captured the hearts of his classmates, and they showed their affection by voting him that school’s homecoming king.
--30--
Rep. Anderson encourages constituents to contact his new office with input regarding any state legislative issue. He can be reached on the web at www.house.mn/13A and via email at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn. To contact Anderson by phone, call (651) 296-4317. Mail can be sent to Rep. Paul Anderson, 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.
News Items
- ANDERSON TAKES HOUSE OATH - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 12:00AM)
- Legislative begins this week - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:36PM)
- Current surplus allows K-12 repayment - (Posted: Dec 10 2012 12:00AM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.