New grant program would give big boost to agriculture research

While the House Agriculture Finance Committee seems to agree that millions of dollars more are needed to fund agricultural research in the upcoming biennium, a consensus about who will oversee that money was more difficult to reach when members met Tuesday morning.

Rep. Rod Hamilton

Committee Chair Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) sponsors HF779 that would appropriate $37.4 million from the General Fund during the 2016-17 biennium to fund grants for work that achieves “long-term agricultural productivity increases through improved infrastructure, vision, and accountability.”

HF779, which was laid over for possible omnibus bill inclusion, would also establish an Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer Board to award the grants. It was that board that provoked debate.

Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) said he agrees more research is needed, but he has concerns about “a board that appears to me to not have any oversight and is spending tax dollar money.”

Bly said he would be more comfortable if language requiring legislative oversight was added to the bill. He also expressed concern about the makeup of the board, saying that while traditional “powerbrokers” were represented, newer interests such as the organic sector did not seem to be.

“I’m concerned about putting in place a board that may continue the status quo without looking at what other possible changes may come down the road that may be important for us to consider as far as research and things like that,” Bly said.  

Hamilton said the intent is “not to exclude anybody,” but to fund research into production agriculture that produces results benefitting everyone.

“If you had seed research, for instance, anybody could use that seed,” Hamilton said. “Whether you want to grow it organically, conventionally, you name it, you would be able to choose.”

Jerry Schoenfeld, a lobbyist representing the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Minnesota Pork Producers Association on the issue, said the legislation’s intent is to include the 13 state designated commodity groups on the board as well as the pork producers, which is a federally designated group. He said the bill was brought forth because food production must increase in order to feed the world in the years to come. 

Rep. Clark Johnson

Rep. Clark Johnson (DFL-North Mankato) said the bill provides needed research and the focus on producing higher yields in production agriculture is appropriate. However, he said the composition of the board could be improved by adding environmental experts and someone who could represent the consumer viewpoint.

“I think that would make this board stronger,” Johnson said.

Hamilton said HF779 is still a work in progress and encouraged an open dialogue on any improvements that could be made. 

The companion, SF820, is sponsored by Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin) and awaits action by the Senate State and Local Government Committee.