State proposal would assign farm business and land studies to an office

The proposal would establish an office to study farm business consolidation and land purchases, advise the agriculture commissioner, and report findings. The office would study agriculture-related businesses and agricultural land purchases and consolidation across Minnesota industries, including purchases by individuals, companies, churches, and other nonprofits. The office would send its findings to the agriculture committees every two years.

The agriculture commissioner would appoint a director and hire staff to carry out the office's duties. The staff would include lawyers and economists. The director and staff would serve outside the state's classified service. The director must know about antitrust law, property law, and agriculture-related businesses.

The proposal would appropriate money from the general fund to the agriculture commissioner for the office. The money would support establishing and funding the office within the Department of Agriculture. The amount is left blank in the bill text. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2027.