Beginning farmers in Minnesota could receive the homestead property tax credit on additional land they buy at some distance from their farmstead, under a bill moving forward in the state Senate. Backers, like Tom Peterson with Minnesota Farmers Union, point to new economic realities that require larger farms. Peterson says, “We’re losing farmers every day. We’re down to I think I last counted was 73 thousand, and so anything we can do to help keep those people that want to farm and give ’em an opportunity, we think is something worth… looking into.” Park Rapids Senator Paul Utke says his bill will help beginning farmers with “a chance to get going.”
Red Wing Senator Michael Goggin says the bill works nicely with his proposed legislation — beginning farmer program tax credits. Goggin says, “We all want to do whatever we can to have Minnesota grown here in the state, with our produce and fruits, vegetables, and our meats and that.”