(ST. PAUL, Minn.) – In Wednesday’s Agricultural, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee Senator Rob Kupec presented two bills to increase state funding for agriculture research in Minnesota. This funding would support research into critical issues like avian influenza, emerging crops, and topics like rural mental health and farm transition.
“Minnesota is a national leader when it comes to agriculture, and one major reason why is our commitment to research that studies emerging and pressing issues facing farmers and ranchers,” said Sen. Kupec. “This funding is vital in supporting this ongoing work, especially when it comes to addressing issues Avian Flu and the effects of climate change.”
The bills Sen. Kupec presented, S.F. 1178 and S.F. 934, would provide additional state support for two programs. S.F. 1178 provides approximately $11.1 million to the University of Minnesota’s agriculture research, education, extension, and technology transfer (AGREETT) grant program. S.F. 934 provides approximately $4.5 million in funding for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.
