Create Farming Opportunities for Minnesotans

 

According to the 2024 Agriculture Census, there are currently 25.4 Million Acres of Farmland in Minnesota, and only

114,868 farmers, as well as only 65,531 farms. This places the average farm size at 388 acres. The census further states

that Minnesota has an aging population of farmers, with the average age being over 57. The reality is that fewer and

fewer Minnesotans are farming, but at the same time, many who are attempting to enter the industry are unable to

purchase land themselves. What this bill does is break up the large plots of land owned by corporations or non-farmers

and resells them to individuals looking to become farmers, with certain requirements for land ownership.

 

Agriculture remains an important part of the American economy centuries after the founding of the nation, but since the

1950s, a concerning trend has emerged. While the size of farms has increased, the amount of farms has decreased, and

corporations are becoming more involved in agriculture land ownership then ever before. As many families create

corporations and dynasties with the focus of expanding and owning land it creates a barrier for small local farmers and

people attempting to break into farming. As farmers continue to grow older and a smaller portion of the population we

will need a new group of driven young farmers to continue the agriculture legacy of the nation.

 

Large Plots: Farmland owned by a singular family or corporation that is in excess of 350 acres.

Family: Any group of blood-related or marriage-related individuals.

Corporation: Any business as classified by MN Statutes as a corporation, including family corporations.

 

Funding shall be provided through the use of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s FY 2027 budget.

 

Following the passing of this legislation, there would be a preparation period up until FY 2027 begins, at which point

this legislation would be enforced. What would take effect is as follows:

-All farms are owned by families, individuals, corporations, and family corporations that own farmland in excess of 350

acres would lose ownership of all acres above that limit of 350 acres.

-Owners would be given 1 weeks time between the notification of loss of property and actual seizure of property to

decide what acres they would lose, and to report that amount to the Department of Agriculture via a registration system

the Department would be required to create.

-Land seized by the state would then go up for sale. The value for the land would be calculated by taking the proposed

market value as stated in tax records submitted to the state of MN and decreasing it by 50% (In example, an acre valued

at 100$ by the previous owner would be sold for 50$), with these proceeds going to compensate the previous land owner.

Previous owners would be able to buy back the property at full market value, at which point the profits of the sale

would go directly to the state of Minnesota

-The land would be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and all new owners would be made aware that their ownership

depends on the land remaining used for agricultural purposes. If converted to any other uses not approved as

agricultural use, the land would be seized by the state and sold again for the same price it was sold the first time.

The land will be classified as agricultural by the state of Minnesota except for one acre, which can be used for home

construction.

 

 

-This legislation shall go into effect on the first day of FY 2027.