Minnesota Agencies

The Emerging Farmer Office exists to support emerging farmers regarding resources and opportunities available throughout the Department of Agriculture and the state. At a minimum, the office must coordinate the Emerging Farmer Working Group and the beginning farmer equipment and infrastructure grant program.

Appropriations for this office were first proposed in the 2021 regular session in HF2298/SF2228. The provisions did not pass in the regular session but did pass in the 2021 1st special session.

The creation of this office follows a report from the Emerging Farmers Working Group, which recommended that the Legislature "fund a dedicated position for community engagement within the [Minnesota Department of Agriculture]."

In 2023 the Legislature codified the office in statute, at Minn. Stat. 17.055, subd. 2a.

Laws of Minnesota, 2025, chapter 34, article 1, subdivision 4 provides $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year to expand the Emerging Farmers Office and provide services to beginning and emerging farmers to increase connections between farmers and market opportunities throughout the state. This appropriation may be used for grants, translation services, training programs, or other purposes in line with the recommendations of the Emerging Farmer Working Group.

Originally, the office was led by the Emerging Farmer Outreach Coordinator. In 2023, the Department of Agriculture appointed the office's first formal director, Lillian Otieno. She had served as the coordinator for the Emerging Farmers program since 2021.

Director: Lillian Otieno (2023 - )