Purpose

• Provide targeted funding to support Black veteran farmers in Minnesota by helping a cooperative obtain modern farming equipment. The goal is to improve access to advanced farming tools and support the viability of a Black veteran farmer cooperative.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner of agriculture must award a grant to the Minnesota Black Farmers Association.
• The grant is for purchasing advanced 21st century farming equipment, including skid steers and John Deere tractors with attachments.
• The equipment will be used by members of a cooperative of Black veteran farmers.
• An appropriation of 2,500,000 dollars from the general fund is allocated in fiscal year 2026 to fund this grant.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new targeted grant program under the Department of Agriculture (via the commissioner of agriculture) to assist a specific nonprofit group (the Minnesota Black Farmers Association) and its cooperative of Black veteran farmers.
• Creates a dedicated funding stream (general fund appropriation) for this purpose in fiscal year 2026.

What This Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Improve access to modern farming equipment for a cooperative of Black veteran farmers.
• Support economic development and equipment readiness for a minority veteran farming community.
• Provide a state-funded capital investment to a specific agricultural nonprofit organization.

Beneficiaries and Stakeholders

• Members of the cooperative of Black veteran farmers.
• Minnesota Black Farmers Association.
• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (as the administering agency).

Implementation Notes

• The bill specifies the kinds of equipment (advanced 21st century farming equipment, including skid steers and John Deere tractors with attachments) but does not detail other program requirements, eligibility criteria beyond membership in the cooperative, or long-term maintenance arrangements.

Related Terms and Concepts (for context)

• Grant
• Commissioner of Agriculture
• Minnesota Black Farmers Association
• Advanced 21st century farming equipment
• Skid steers
• John Deere tractors with attachments
• Cooperative
• Black veteran farmers
• General fund
• Appropriation
• Fiscal year 2026

Relevant Terms

• grant
• commissioner of agriculture
• Minnesota Black Farmers Association
• advanced 21st century farming equipment
• skid steers
• John Deere tractors with attachments
• cooperative
• Black veteran farmers
• general fund
• appropriation
• fiscal year 2026