EIGHTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION
AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Representative Mike Sundin, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the virtual meeting to order at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, February 8, 2021, pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll. A quorum was present.

Members present:
SUNDIN, Mike, CHAIR
VANG, Samantha, VICE CHAIR
ANDERSON, Paul, Minority Lead
BURKEL, John
ECKLUND, Rob
HANSEN, Rick
HANSON, Jessica
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIPPERT, Todd
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
NELSON, Nathan
THOMPSON, John

Rep. Vang moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the February 3, 2021 meeting were adopted.

Rep. Vang moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the first joint hearing of the Ag Finance and Policy Committee and Environment and Natural Resources Finance & Policy Committee. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the February 5, 2021 joint meeting were adopted.

MDA continued to provide a budget and program review, and responded to member questions.

Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program
• Paul Hugunin, AMDD Director
• Ashley Bress, AMDD Grants Team Supervisor
• Evan Flom, Community Action Duluth (Urban Ag)
• Ebony Coles, ARTS-US (Urban Ag)
• Erica Sawatzke, Oakdale Farm (Livestock Investment and Farm Business Management)
• Jeff Metz, Metz’s Hart-Land Dairy (Value-Added)
• K.C. Kye, K-Mama Sauce, LLC (New Markets)
• Kris Biessener, Mark’s Market (Good Food Access)
• Jayme Anderson, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (Farm to School)

Dairy Presentation
• Shelly DePestel, Vice President, MN Milk Producers Association
• Kristine, Kate, and Ryan Spadgenske, MN Milk Producers of the Year


Chair Sundin adjourned the meeting at 2:24 P.M.





_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair




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Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant