Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to provide financial support for the preservation and promotion of heritage oilseeds, grains, and other plants in Minnesota. It aims to enhance agricultural diversity by focusing on species that were commercially available before 1970 and by protecting traditional seeds important to immigrant communities.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill allocates $500,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support this initiative.
• Recipient and Use: The funds will be transferred to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents for the evaluation, propagation, and maintenance of the genetic diversity of select plants.
• Target Species: Specific plants include flax, timothy, barley, rye, triticale, alfalfa, orchard grass, clover, and similar species, intentionally excluding wild rice.
• Community Involvement: The bill includes provisions for outreach to small farmers and members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, ensuring these groups benefit from the initiative.

Significant Changes

The bill introduces new funding specifically aimed at preserving plant species that have historical and cultural importance in Minnesota and among its diverse immigrant populations. This alters previous agricultural focus by including ethnically and historically significant plant varieties.

Relevant Terms

heritage oilseeds, heritage grains, genetic diversity, immigrant communities, University of Minnesota, small farmers, BIPOC, fiscal appropriation, agriculture diversity, traditional seeds.