The Lakefield Standard reports…

Local state senators say the agriculture budget bill approved by the Senate last week is focused on helping Minnesota farmers while also spurring innovation in the agriculture industry and providing resources for broadband expansion throughout the state.

“This is a bipartisan compromise that focuses on our shared agricultural and rural priorities,” local state Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne, said after voting for the bill last Wednesday. “We’re helping Minnesotan farmers and our rural communities by prioritizing innovative investment, mental health and broadband infrastructure to drive development across our state.”

Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, agreed.

“There are few things more important to the success of our state than a strong agriculture economy,” Rosen said after casing her vote for the bill last Wednesday. “This bill continues our rich tradition of ag innovation and provides resources for important priorities, like mental health support and broadband expansion to communities that need it most.”

Here are the specifics…

The Senate agriculture budget bill also gives historic funding to the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant program at $40 million over the next two fiscal years. This funding will develop permanent broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.