New grant program would sow the seeds of urban agriculture

City blocks could become fertile fields if efforts to cultivate urban agriculture continue to grow as they did Wednesday in the House Agriculture Policy Committee.

Members heard testimony about a bill that would establish a new grant program to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible cities around the state that create urban agriculture development zones. To do so, these cities would need to adopt ordinances, which must remain in effect for 10 years, that designate these zones.

Rep. Karen Clark

Sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls), HF153, as amended, would appropriate $6 million in Fiscal Years 2016-17 from the General Fund that would go to eligible cities, including those in the seven-county metro area, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato and St. Cloud. The grant money would also be available for nonprofit organizations and individuals involved in urban farming in eligible cities.

It would make $3 million available each fiscal year with one-third reserved for cities, one-third for organizations and a one-third for individuals. However, any money remaining after the first half of the fiscal year would then be available to any eligible entity.

Clark said the bill, which was approved and now moves to the House Agriculture Finance Committee, would give urban farmers the resources and the security needed to make long-term investments in their communities.

Farming the urban core

“The purpose of this bill is to increase access to high-nutrient and affordable food in our urban centers,” Clark said.

Edward McDonald, executive director of the Council on Black Minnesotans, called the legislation “groundbreaking” and said his constituents support it. He said urban agriculture is gaining popularity in Minnesota and said garden hub members in the Twin Cities, who are already growing on 21 acres, could potentially produce nearly 500,000 pounds of fresh food with that land.

“This legislation will help groups like this and other communities in our state to address fresh food access in areas where it is disappearing or not available, and address some of the ecological issues facing our communities,” McDonald said. “This is really, really exciting.”

Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), chair of the agriculture finance committee and co-sponsor of HF153, said there has never been more opportunity in agriculture than there is today, but let his colleagues know their help would be needed to make things happen.

“To the governor’s office and to my leadership, we’re going to be asking for some additional dollars so that we can do some great work, like this,” Hamilton said.

The companion, SF534, is sponsored by Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) and awaits action by the Senate State and Local Government Committee.