Minnesota Right to Farm Protections Under Statute 561.19

Minn. Stat. 561.19 declares that an established agricultural or farming operation is not a public or private nuisance if it has operated lawfully for at least two years prior to the alleged nuisance, and the conditions complained of were not significantly altered. The statute prevents nuisance suits brought by neighboring landowners who later move in near pre-existing farms. It does not shield operations from negligent management, regulatory violations, or activities outside normal agricultural practice. The protection is widely applied to livestock, dairy, crop, and feedlot operations.

Bringing a barred nuisance action may result in dismissal and award of attorney fees and costs to the defending farm operator under Minn. Stat. 561.19.