Position announcement: Agricultural Policy Coordinator [FILLED]
The Agricultural Policy Coordinator is a new position that will develop and advocate for agricultural policy priorities and work to establish an effective agricultural-water coalition. The position is open until filled. >>
Legislation could protect public wells with clean-water crops
Legislation introduced this month would fund the Working Lands Drinking Water Program. The program will help farmers plant and sell alternative crops that protect drinking water while maintaining farm profitability. As a pilot initiative, it's limited to the state's most vulnerable wellhead areas — places where conservation crops can protect public health. >>
How water and agriculture fared in the governor’s budget
On Tuesday, Gov. Walz announced his state budget proposal. We took a look at how our priorities for the river and clean water fared. Our take-away so far? We have some work to do. New investments in environment and agriculture were minor and failed to include full funding for the few initiatives that are essential to achieving Minnesota's clean water goals. >>
House and senate introduce full funding for Forever Green
To get to our clean water goals in Minnesota, we need to plant more perennial and cover crops. But these crops need to be profitable before farm operations can effectively make the change. To address this challenge, two bills were introduced in mid-February in the house and senate that will fully fund the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative. >>
FMR’s Molly Pederson testifies for Environmental Trust Fund fix
In late January, a key House committee approved legislation to fix last year’s controversial raid on Minnesota’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund. FMR lobbyist Molly Pederson testified in support of the bill. >>
Legislative Blog: Our top three priorities in 2019
Kicking off the return of our annual Legislative Blog, here's a summary of FMR's top three legislative priorities this session: Forever Green, Working Lands and fixing the Environmental Trust Fund raid. >>
FMR joins 186 groups supporting revised farm bill
FMR was one of 186 national, state and local organizations to thank Congress for strong conservation provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and urge its timely passage. >>
When lead rounds kill twice
Lead ammunition can poison scavenger birds like bald eagles. The Raptor Center works to save these birds, but the best solution would be for hunters to switch to non-lead bullets. >>
Our 2019 Legislative Priority: The Minnesota Water Bill
This session, FMR and our coalition partners are teaming up to advance a new way forward for clean water in Minnesota: The Minnesota Water Bill. >>
Looking ahead to the 2019 legislature
Minnesota’s 2019 legislative session is about to begin! A new governor and House await, and FMR and our partners have some exciting new priorities. Here's a brief overview of what FMR and our allies will advocate for, who we'll work with, and how you can help. >>