Purpose

Provide capital investment funding to support the Future of Advanced Agricultural Research in Minnesota (FAARM) by funding a UTN project in Mower County. The goal is to create facilities to advance education and agricultural research.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $20,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the University of Minnesota, Board of Regents, for land acquisition, site preparation, predesign, design, and preconstruction activities for new education and research facilities related to FAARM in Mower County. This initial funding is for the first phase of the project, with the possibility to use any remaining funds for later phases such as preconstruction and construction.
• Project scope: The funds cover development needs such as land, facilities for animal housing, equipment storage, and associated support facilities to support FAARM activities.
• Timing and phases: This is specifically for the initial phase; funding can be carried forward to later phases if needed.

Financing and Cost Sharing

• Cost share: The appropriation is intended to cover about two-thirds of the costs for this initial phase. The remaining costs must be paid by university sources.
• Bond issuance: The money comes from the bond proceeds fund. The Commissioner of Management and Budget must sell and issue up to $20,000,000 in state bonds to fund this appropriation, following the terms and effects outlined in Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Location and Purpose Context

• Location: Mower County, Minnesota.
• Purpose context: Part of a broader effort to advance agricultural research in Minnesota through the FAARM program, by building and preparing facilities to support education, research, and related activities.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Significance: Establishes a new capital investment funding stream specifically for the FAARM initiative in Mower County, including the planned use of bond proceeds to support an initial phase of infrastructure and facilities.
• Changes to law: Creates a new appropriation and bond authorization for this project under existing bond and appropriation mechanisms; uses current statutory and constitutional authority to issue bonds. No broad changes to ongoing programs are described beyond enabling this funding and related project activities.

Implications

• The project aims to expand Minnesota’s capacity for advanced agricultural research and related education, with a structured approach to financing and phased development.

Relevant Terms FAARM program Future of Advanced Agricultural Research in Minnesota Mower County University of Minnesota Board of Regents land acquisition site preparation predesign design preconstruction education research animal housing equipment storage support facilities bond proceeds fund bonds bond sale Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4 to 7) two-thirds university sources initial phase capital investment appropriation