Funding the Great Outdoors / Supporting Farm to School Food Programs

Sarah Strommen, Commissioner of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources, called the legislature’s 2023 budget a “truly historic investment in natural resources and outdoor recreation.” She joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about her agency's efforts, including the "Get our MORE" initiative, improved mechanisms for conservation and outdoor recreation and upgrades to state park services and infrastructure.

President Harry S. Truman signed the National School Lunch Act in 1946 to ensure that schools provide meals for students. In March, Minnesota became the fourth state to make those meals – both breakfast and lunch – free to all students. Senator Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, sponsored legislation to expand the farm-to-school food program, providing students with Minnesota grown, minimally processed foods. She joins Shannon to discuss ways the state is supporting school districts' goals of offering students healthy, locally grown foods.

Also on this week's program, historian Brian Pease talks about the life and legacy of State Capitol architect Cass Gilbert.