Senate unanimously approves Goggin’s ‘Save our Farms’ bill

Legislation would provide emergency assistance to farmers whose barns have collapsed under February’s historic snowfall

On Thursday the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed a new bill from Sen. Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) that would give the Rural Finance Authority the ability to issue Disaster Recovery Loans to farmers whose barns have collapsed under the weight of heavy snow, sleet, or ice. Minnesota’s seemingly-endless snowfall and brutal cold during February did more than just cause stress and frustration, it also caused devastating damage to farms throughout the state. In fact, More than 50 barns and farm buildings have collapsed under the weight of heavy February snow. Similar legislation was included in House File 4133, the omnibus agriculture policy bill that was vetoed by Governor Dayton last year.

“Those of us in Southeast Minnesota know how tough February was, but after touring farms in Winona County recently and seeing the damage firsthand it’s clear the state has to step in,” said Sen. Goggin. “Anyone who works in or around Minnesota’s Ag economy knows the immense challenges the industry faces. Farmers are resilient, but sometimes they need just a little relief when Mother Nature wreaks her havoc. Disaster assistance is made for these types of situations. I am very proud we were able to get this bill through the Senate so quickly. I am committed to getting the bill to the governor for his signature as soon as possible so farmers’ livelihoods are not in jeopardy.”

Farmers can use Disaster Recovery Loans for several purposes:

  • To clean up, repair, or replace farm structures and septic and water systems, as well as replace seed, other crop inputs, feed, and livestock;
  • To purchase watering systems, irrigation systems, and other drought mitigation systems and practices when drought is the cause of the purchase;
  • To restore farmland; or
  • To replace flocks, make building improvements, or cover the loss of revenue when the replacement, improvements, or loss of revenue is due to the confirmed presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial poultry or game flock located in Minnesota.

This bill is effective retroactively from January 1, 2019.