Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces $22.3 Million in USDA Funding Available to Organizations Helping Veterans, Non-traditional Farmers Get into Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making up to $22.3 million available to fund efforts that help non-traditional farmers and veterans in Minnesota and across the country get into agriculture. “Too often, Minnesota residents from communities who traditionally have not been involved in agriculture, as well as veterans, find barriers to getting into farming,” said Sen Smith. “The 2501 Program helps to remedy that, and I’m proud to champion its reauthorization in the Senate. These funds are available to groups, organizations, and higher education institutions that want to assist them in getting started. I encourage those eligible to apply for this opportunity.” Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, leads the bill in the Senate to reauthorize the “Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program” – or the 2501 Program – that is funded by USDA and set to be included in the Farm Bill. Smith has long been a champion of the 2501 Program and pushed to reauthorize and expand the funding during the debate over the 2018 Farm Bill – which was ultimately signed into law. Information on how to apply can be found below: Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions serving African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024. See the 2501 Program page for more information on the 2501 funding opportunity. USDA Teleconferences to Help With Application Process USDA will host two teleconferences during
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Funding to Identify, Replace Minnesota’s Lead Pipes
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced Minnesota will receive historic funding to identify and replace lead pipes across the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, drinking, breathing, eating or touching food, water and other materials that contain lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children, lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. Minnesota is receiving a total of $86,566,000 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass, to support the Biden Administration’s goal of replacing every lead pipe in America. “Lead exposure from aging water pipes is dangerous and it’s long past time for an upgrade,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, Minnesota will identify and replace old service lines to protect our water supply from lead contamination.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Senator Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “All Minnesotans should have access to safe, clean drinking water. Right now, there are more than 100,000 lead water service lines around our state leaching lead into drinking water and threatening our health,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham. “We are tremendously grateful to the Environmental Protection Agency for their support and
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, John Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Emergency Haying During Severe Drought
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/28/21]—With severe and worsening drought causing Upper Midwest cattle producers to run out of hay for their herds, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to allow future emergency haying on federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. Right now, emergency haying on CRP land is not allowed until after the primary nesting season, which ends August 1 in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. The Senators’ CRP Flexibility Act would give the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the tools to allow emergency haying on CRP acres before August 1 when certain conditions are met and in consultation with the state conservation experts. U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN 2) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced a House companion bill. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls on Major League Baseball, Private Equity Firm to End Offshoring of Jobs to China, Reverse Closure of Minnesota Equipment Manufacturer
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/24/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today told Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred and the owner of the San Diego Padres that all Americans should be outraged by their plans to close a major employer in rural Caledonia, Minn. The closure is expected to eliminate approximately 80 jobs in the community, with many of them moving offshore to China. In a strongly worded letter Saturday, Sen. Smith demanded MLB and Siedler Equity Partners reverse their decision to close Miken Sports’ Caledonia manufacturing facility, a long-time employer that produces baseball helmets for the MLB and non-wood bats for other
Following Urging from Klobuchar, Smith, USDA Announces Additional Coronavirus Relief Funding for Livestock and Poultry Producers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced today that producers in Minnesota and across the country hit hard by the pandemic can apply for federal relief funds before September 17. The two Senators, both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, pressed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in June to expedite and prioritize relief for farmers, livestock producers, biofuel processors, and timber harvesters and haulers. “The coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for agriculture workers and rural communities across Minnesota,” said Klobuchar. “This relief will help ensure our farmers and businesses have the resources they need to keep our supply chain
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Say $4 Million Federal Grant Will Deploy More Electric Buses in Metro Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/22/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that Minnesota’s Metro Transit has been awarded $4,190,839 to add more electric buses to its fleet. This U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help purchase buses that have larger battery capacity, allowing them to complete routes more easily. The senators said that the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Electric busses will reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and improve air quality. “Investments in clean transportation infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic and environmental well-being of our state and
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