The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved the drought assistance bill. Agriculture Committee Chair Torrey Westrom described it as “a shot in the arm for our farm community.” This assistance would primarily go to livestock and specialty crop farmers. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen testified about the urgent need for this relief. “By the time we put our RFP (Request for Proposal) together, put it out and farmers apply, it’s going to be a month-to-six weeks. The sooner we can do that, I feel strongly that we can help farmers pay a bill or two.” If the full Senate passes this bill, it will move to a conference committee to iron differences with the House version.
