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
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Affordable Childcare Access, Support Workforce in Fosston
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $418,000 in federal funding to strengthen access to affordable childcare and support the workforce in Fosston. This funding will be used to remodel the future Prairie Pines Childcare Center. “For far too many parents in Fosston and across our state, the struggle to find high-quality childcare is a barrier to joining the workforce,” said Klobuchar. “By increasing access to affordable childcare in Fosston, this funding will address this urgent issue. I’m proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these resources and support
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Secure Significant Federal Funding for Agricultural Workforce Development in the Central Lakes Region
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) announced that they have secured $2 million in federal funding for meat processing workforce development in the Central Lakes region. Specifically, this funding will facilitate an increase in meat cutting and butchery career pathways for students by enabling the Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center to expand its training facilities and purchase new processing equipment at Central Lakes College in Staples. “A healthy meat processing industry is critical to the economic success of Central Minnesota,” said Klobuchar. “This funding will help diversify local meat processing
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Death of Minnesota Native Jimmy Hill in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/17/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to the news that Minnesota native Jimmy Hill was killed during a military strike by Russia in Ukraine: “The death of Jimmy Hill is horrible news and my thoughts are with Jimmy and his family in Minnesota. Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine is causing destruction and loss of life and is taking a human toll the world over.”
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Chisholm Public Safety and Emergency Services Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $3.5 million in federal funding to improve Chisholm’s public safety and emergency services infrastructure. Specifically, the funding will enable the construction of a new Chisholm public safety facility that will house the city’s police and fire departments, as well as ambulance services. The current public safety facility is over a century old. “Improving public safety and emergency services infrastructure is critical to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud to have worked with local leaders in Chisholm to secure these vital
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