Legislative Report

By Dan Lemke

St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Legislature has completed the 1997 session with continued strong support for AURI programs and activities. Earlier this session AURI faced a proposed budget reduction. Patricia Jensen, executive director, and David Bartholomay, deputy director, spearheaded educational efforts explaining AURI programs and outcomes, resulting in full funding for the organization. Other ongoing AURI efforts in hybrid poplar research and the Pesticide Reduction Options (PRO) program were recognized and financially supported into the next biennium. AURI also secured a new program for the upcoming year which will focus on helping urban youth identify and develop value-added products from locally grown commodities.

AURI technical staff played an important role in explaining AURI research efforts to legislators and their staff. AURI provided scientific expertise to the legislature on issues such as biodiesel, hybrid poplar, livestock odor research and other areas. In addition, AURI animal products scientist and HACCP expert Darrell Bartholomew was named to the governor's Food Safety Advisory Committee. "This is a positive recognition that our technical efforts are very valuable not only to agribusiness, but to Minnesota consumers as well," Bartholomay says.

AURI continues to benefit from the strong support of numerous legislators and agriculture organizations. State Senator Steve Morse, AURI board members Representative Doug Peterson and Senator Dallas Sams, and others played key roles in the success of AURI during this legislative session.

"This legislative support positions us to continue to develop value-added products for Minnesota agricultural commodities and to be a leader in research and services that benefit all Minnesotans," Bartholomay says.