MPR News: Lawmakers push funding boost for Forever Green
Minnesota Public Radio recently published coverage of our coalition's press event designed to highlight bipartisan support for the University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative.
The press event, headlined by Rep. Jeff Brand (St. Peter) and Rep. Ginny Klevorn (Plymouth), highlighted legislative efforts to secure $10 million in state funds for Forever Green. This would speed the development of economically viable perennial crops and winter annual crop (cover crop) options for farms.
These crops can reduce the runoff pollution and habitat loss currently associated with corn and soybeans, our dominant annual cropping systems, while maintaining or enhancing farm prosperity — a key goal of FMR’s water program.
While modest funding has been secured for Forever Green in recent legislative years, it’s time to ramp up our efforts to bring these next-generation “clean-water crops” online quickly.
Become a River Guardian
Sign up to become a River Guardian and we'll let you know when important river issues arise. Our emails make it quick and easy to contact decision-makers and make your voice heard. River Guardians are also invited to special events, including happy hours, where you can learn more about important legislative and metro river corridor issues.