Dear Neighbors,
We have known for decades that there is a devastating lack of options for fresh and healthy foods in urban areas. On Tuesday this week, I was joined by urban farmers, small business owners and advocates, for a press conference on two of my bills to address the food justice crisis in Minnesota.
The goal of HF 3324 would be to develop a statewide competitive grant for a pilot urban agriculture program in Minnesota. The competitive grants provided under this pilot program will be for cities, individuals, Native American tribal communities, farmers, nonprofit organizations and cooperatives interested in farming the land.
HF 2818 would create an indoor, year round urban farm in the East Phillips neighborhood, impacting several low income communities of color and Native American tribal communities. With the $3 million appropriation within this bill, our community would utilize a portion of an existing facility and transform it into a year round urban farm.
Agriculture Policy and Finance Committee Chair Rod Hamilton visited an urban farm last summer to learn more about the farming operation and its positive impacts on our urban communities. I believe this visit is why he decided to give HF 3324 a hearing in the Agriculture Policy Committee on Wednesday, March 30. The bill is moving through the process and its next stop is the Agriculture Finance Committee on April 5. Committee members will have the opportunity to hear HF 2818 that same day.
The topic of urban farming was featured on TPT PBS’s Almanac television program Wednesday evening. You can watch a clip here.
Please always feel free to share your comments and concerns with me. I can be reached at 651-296-0294 or by email at rep.karen.clark@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Karen Clark
State Representative