Purpose

This bill provides funding and a reporting requirement related to agricultural research. Specifically, it appropriates money to support basic and applied research on improving the production of forage and turf seed, including work on new and improved varieties and native plants.

Main Provisions

• Finance and funding

  • Appropriates $75,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture.
  • Funds are for grants to the Minnesota Turf Seed Council to support research on forage and turf seed production and related topics.

• Research scope

  • Grants support basic and applied research on improved production of forage and turf seed.
  • Topics include new and improved varieties and native plants, plant breeding, nutrient management, pest management, disease management, yield, and viability.

• Research delivery

  • The Minnesota Turf Seed Council may subcontract with a qualified third party to conduct some or all of the research.

• Fund management

  • Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and remains available for the second year.

• Reporting requirement

  • The Council must prepare a report detailing how grant money was used and the related accomplishments.

• Reporting deadline

  • The report must be submitted no later than January 15, 2027 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture finance and policy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new appropriation from the general fund to fund grants to a state council (the Minnesota Turf Seed Council) for research related to turf and forage seed production.
• Introduces a carryover provision for unencumbered funds to the next fiscal year.
• Adds a formal reporting requirement to inform legislative leadership about grant use and outcomes.

Administrative Details

• Administered by the commissioner of agriculture.
• Council oversight and accountability are through the reporting to legislative committee leaders.

Relevant Terms - general fund - Minnesota Turf Seed Council - grants - basic and applied research - forage seed - turf seed - new and improved varieties - native plants - plant breeding - nutrient management - pest management - disease management - yield - viability - subcontract - unencumbered balance - carryover - reporting requirement - January 15, 2027 - chairs - ranking minority members - legislative committees and divisions - agriculture finance and policy