ST. PAUL – Today, Rep. Jon Applebaum (DFL – Minnetonka) introduced H.F. 1071, establishing the Farmer Advocate Office under the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). If enacted, the Farmer Advocate Office would be a resource for farmers to find information and assistance in licensing, permitting and meeting state regulatory requirements. H.F. 1071 would appropriate $200,000 to the MDA to establish the Farmer Advocate Office.
“Minnesota has made progress in making permitting faster and easier over the past two years,” remarked Rep. Applebaum. “This bill will continue building on the progress we’ve made and provide a single point of contact for farmers to work with state government,” Rep. Applebaum added. “Farmers want to be good stewards of the land and comply with state laws, and the Farmer Advocate Office will be another state resource to help them meet those objectives. Everyone benefits when farmers are spending time growing and raising the food the world eats rather than sitting idle while they deal with state regulations. This bill demonstrates our continued commitment to all of Minnesota’s families, including our farmers in Greater Minnesota.”
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