STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
MINUTES
Representative Anderson, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM, on March 2nd, 2026, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Paul (GOP Co-Chair)
HANSEN, Rick (DFL Co-Chair)
HARDER, Bobbie (GOP Co-Vice Chair)
SMITH, Andy (DFL Co-Vice Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther
BURKEL, John
FREDERICK, Luke
GANDER, Steve
GOTTFRIED, David
JACOB, Steve
LAWRENCE, Bryan
LEE, Fue
NELSON, Nathan
VANG, Samantha
Representative Harder moved the minutes of February 25th, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The following individuals gave the presentation from the State FFA:
• Hailey Chambers, State Treasurer, Minnesota FFA
• Keeley Runge, State Reporter, Minnesota FFA
• Dessa Terning, State Secretary, Minnesota FFA
The following individuals gave the update from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) grant program:
• Paul Hugunin, Ag Marketing and Development Division Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
• Mark Schiller, Chief Financial Officer, Loon Liquors
• Peter Gengler, President, Sno Pac Foods
• Jennifer Dierkes, McDonald’s Meats
• Ethan Johnson, Emo Creamery
HF 3580 (Burkel) Depredation compensation payments funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Burkel moved HF 3580.
Representative Burkel moved the H3580A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers:
• Kaitlyn Root, Executive Director, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association
• Stu Lourey, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Mark Abrahamson, Plant Protection Division Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Chair Anderson laid over HF 3580 as amended.
HF 3566 (Harder) Crime for damage to farm machinery and equipment established, crime for trespasses on agricultural land established, and criminal penalties provided.
Representative Harder moved HF 3566.
Chair Anderson laid over HF 3566.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 PM.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Isabelle Warwas, Committee Legislative Assistant