The Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee has approved a drought relief bill that combines assistance for farmers with legislation to support the Department of Natural Resources. The agriculture portion includes grants for drought-related expenses and $5 million for Rural Finance Authority loans. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Director of Ag Marketing and Development Paul Hugunin outline the timeline to get the assistance out to farmers. “Realistically, from when the bill is passed and enacted, we’re talking between six-to-eight weeks before the first farmers are receiving checks.”
