The GRAIN DRY Act amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to allow agricultural producers to construct or upgrade storage facilities for propane used for agricultural production.
Brad Finstad
Representative
MN-1
The GRAIN DRY Act amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to allow agricultural producers to construct or upgrade storage facilities for propane used in agricultural production. This expansion of the USDA's Farm Storage Facility Loan Program aims to support the infrastructure needs of farmers.
GRAIN DRY Act: Propane Storage Gets a Boost for Farmers
The Growing Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields (GRAIN DRY) Act is pretty straightforward. It amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (specifically Section 1614(a)) to let agricultural producers get loans to build or upgrade propane storage facilities. Right now, the existing law provides funds for producers, and this change makes sure that propane storage used primarily for things like drying crops is included.
Fueling Farm Upgrades
The core change here is allowing producers to use these loans for propane storage. Think of a farmer who needs to dry a large amount of grain after harvest. Having enough propane on hand is crucial, and this bill helps them finance the necessary storage tanks. The bill specifically references 7 CFR § 4279.2, which defines what counts as 'agricultural production' in this context. This is important because it sets the boundaries for what kind of propane use qualifies for these loans.
Real-World Rollout
For farmers, this could mean easier access to funding for a critical piece of infrastructure. Instead of tying up capital in expensive propane storage, they can potentially use these loans to spread out the cost. This could be especially helpful for smaller or newer farming operations that are trying to manage their expenses. It could also mean more reliable access to propane, which is essential during peak times like harvest season.
Potential Hiccups
One thing to keep an eye on is how that phrase "primarily used for agricultural production" gets interpreted. The bill points to a specific regulation (7 CFR § 4279.2) for the definition, but there's always a chance for some wiggle room. Making sure the loans are actually going to facilities that support agricultural activities, and not, say, heating a giant warehouse that's only tangentially related, will be key to the program's success. Overall, it should mean a smoother, more efficient process for farmers needing to store propane for their operations.