ST. PAUL — On Thursday the Minnesota Senate approved Sen. Gary Dahms’ (R-Redwood Falls) bill to create an agriculture specialty-themed license plate in Minnesota. Proceeds from the selling of the license plate would be used to fund youth agriculture programs.

“These license plates will help fund the next generation of Minnesota agriculture,” said Dahms. “Getting our young people engaged in our agriculture industry is vitally important. Providing funding to our FFA and 4-H programs will expand access and opportunities for kids across the state.”

The new agriculture license plate would be available by a $20 annual contribution to the Minnesota Agriculture Account. The money raised would then be distributed to the Minnesota FFA Foundation and to the University of Minnesota Extension Service to support Minnesota 4-H programming and activities. The license plate would become available beginning January 1, 2022.

Leaders from both the Minnesota FFA and Minnesota 4-H testified in support of the bill in the Senate Transportation Committee. The bill’s companion in the House currently awaits action by the House Ways and Means Committee.