Minnesota Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Grants
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
$500–$45,000 (up to 50% cost-share)
$500–$45,000 cost-share grant for soil-health equipment purchases and retrofits in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Soil Health Financial Assistance Grant provides cost-share for the purchase and retrofit of soil-health equipment. The FY2027 round opened August 3, 2026 and closes August 31, 2026. Awards range from $500 to $45,000, covering up to 50% of eligible equipment costs. Eligible applicants include individual producers, producer groups, and local government units (including cities, towns, counties, soil and water conservation districts, tribal nations, and joint powers boards). Prioritization points are awarded to beginning farmers, Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program participants, and first-time applicants.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $500 – $45,000
- Realistic amount
- $500–$45,000 depending on equipment cost (50% cost-share)
- Deadline
- Applications due 4 p.m. CT on August 31, 2026
- Status
- active
- States
- MN
Who qualifies
- Individual producers, producer groups, and local government units are eligible to apply
- Local government units include cities, towns, counties, soil and water conservation districts, tribal nations, and joint powers boards
- Equipment purchases must advance soil health in Minnesota
- Prioritization points awarded to beginning farmers
- Prioritization points awarded if an operation is certified or working toward certification in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program
- First-time applicants are prioritized
Who is not eligible
- Applicants whose equipment purchases do not advance soil health in Minnesota
- Equipment purchases from family members
- Local government units that do not make purchased equipment available for public use
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of new or used soil-health equipment
- Parts and materials to retrofit existing equipment
- Examples include no-till drills, air seeders, and agricultural drones for cover crop seeding
Ineligible expenses
- Equipment purchases from family members
- Equipment purchased before the grant contract start date
- Tools that can be used again on another project (for retrofits)
- Expenses not directly tied to eligible soil-health equipment
How to apply
-
1
Review RFP and eligible equipment
Read the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Request for Proposals and confirm the equipment qualifies.
~1.5 hrs
-
2
Prepare project justification and budget
Document how the equipment will advance soil health, the acres impacted, and the total equipment cost.
~2 hrs
-
3
Submit application by August 31, 2026
Complete and submit the online application before the 4 p.m. CT deadline.
~1.5 hrs
-
4
Await award announcement
Recipients will be announced by January 1, 2027.
-
5
Purchase equipment and request reimbursement
After grant contract execution, purchase eligible equipment and submit proof of payment for reimbursement.
~2 hrs
First-time applicants, beginning farmers, and MAWQCP participants receive prioritization points; ensure equipment is purchased only after the grant contract is executed.
Deadline & timing
FY2027 round opened August 3, 2026. Awards announced by January 1, 2027.
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Required documents
- Completed online application
- Request for Proposals (RFP)
- Equipment cost and budget justification
- Description of soil-health benefit and acres impacted
- Proof of payment (after award)
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.