WHEREAS, private sector investment in dairy farm modernization in Minnesota has not kept pace with investments made by dairy operations in other parts of the nation; and

WHEREAS, the enactment of the Livestock Investment Grant Program will encourage investment by family farmers in Minnesota’s dairy industry; and

WHEREAS, modernization and expansion of the industry is necessary in order for Minnesota dairy farmers to compete economically with milk producers in other states; and

WHEREAS, many Minnesota dairy farmers lack access to sufficient capital to make the kinds of investments needed to modernize or expand their dairy operations.

                NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT:

                RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Milk Producers Association supports state funding of the Livestock Investment Grant Program in the amount of at least $10 million per year in order to facilitate modernization of our dairy industry.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Milk Producers Association supports maintaining time limited agricultural appropriations, such as ethanol subsidy payments for future economic programs by redirecting funds through the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI Fund), to provide capital to allow Minnesota dairy producers the opportunity to modernize and expand their operations.