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Bill to celebrate ag and support Minnesota youth introduced

A bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature would create a custom license plate that celebrates agriculture and benefits youth.

Minnesota FFA Foundation executive director Val Aarsvold says several states offer specialized plates that generate funds for FFA and 4H, and Minnesota should too.

“It’s been really exciting to see how receptive Minnesotans are to specialized license plates when they know there’s a good cause attached, whether it’s military plates or critical habitat.  People are willing to support it and I think that’s what FFA and 4H have really done (is) create a respect that people have.”

Representative Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake authored the ag license plate legislation in the House while Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls put forward a companion bill in the Senate.

Aarsvold tells Brownfield because it’s a short session, those who support 4H and FFA need to speak up soon.

“And really put the push on that the bills get the hearings they need in their respective committees.  Once we get through that stage, and I’m hopeful that happens, then reinforce with your legislators to pass the overall bill.”

She says while no ag license plate design has been chosen, one possibility is to have a contest where young people submit their ideas.