The state Agriculture Department is asking the Minnesota Legislature for 20 million dollars in state bonding for low-interest loans to farmers. Commissioner Dave Frederickson says, “The bulk of the program — over 50 percent in terms of the dollar amount — is going out for beginning farmers, 52.07 percent.” Frederickson says the programs also provide a life-line to farmers struggling financially due to low commodity prices and high interest rates. He says without additional funding, the programs will run out of money by the middle of the year.