The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding farmers and commercial applicators that fall nitrogen fertilizer applications are restricted in some areas of the state. Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. Areas with coarse-textured soils or areas above fractured bedrock or karst geology are the most vulnerable to nitrate loss and groundwater contamination.
The restrictions begin September 1 each year. Farmers are encouraged to check the online map prior to fall application to determine if their fields are subject to these restrictions. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state. For more information on the restrictions outlined in the Groundwater Protection Rule, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr.
In other areas of the state where fall nitrogen fertilizer application is allowed, the MDA advises farmers and commercial applicators to check soil temperatures and wait for cooler conditions. Research shows that delaying fall application of anhydrous ammonia and urea fertilizer, as well as manure, until the average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler helps prevent nitrogen loss, protects water quality, and ensures more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.
To assist tracking soil temperature, the MDA provides real-time, 6-inch soil temperatures at 25 locations across the state. In addition, the MDA provides links to soil temperature from the University of Minnesota research stations and the North Dakota Ag Weather Network (NDAWN) weather stations. View the interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history.
Although the soil temperature network was established to support application of nitrogen fertilizer, it is equally useful for those applying manure in the fall. University of Minnesota Extension also recommends the same temperature delay (6-inch soil temperature below 50 degrees F) to prevent leaching losses.
For more information on the 6-inch Soil Temperature Network visit www.mda.state.mn.us/soiltemp.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
No, to be considered an organization a for-profit business must be incorporated (LCC, S-corp, C-corp, or Benefit corporation).
No, to be considered an organization a for-profit business must be incorporated (LCC, S-corp, C-corp, or Benefit corporation).
‘Hay ground’ would likely meet the definition of continuous living cover (since this is most often a perennial crop such as alfalfa, clover, and/or grass hay). However, establishing hayland by itself is not grant eligible; an applicant would need to demonstrate activities that “develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover”, which is part of the grant criteria.
‘Hay ground’ would likely meet the definition of continuous living cover (since this is most often a perennial crop such as alfalfa, clover, and/or grass hay). However, establishing hayland by itself is not grant eligible; an applicant would need to demonstrate activities that “develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover”, which is part of the grant criteria.
While this is a competitive grant process, there is not a minimum acreage requirement. The application focuses on the impact the grant will have on your business and how funds will accelerate growth in sales or market and or supply chain outlets for CLC agricultural products. We encourage all that are interested to apply.
While this is a competitive grant process, there is not a minimum acreage requirement. The application focuses on the impact the grant will have on your business and how funds will accelerate growth in sales or market and or supply chain outlets for CLC agricultural products. We encourage all that are interested to apply.
No, to be considered an organization a for-profit business must be incorporated (LCC, S-corp, C-corp, or Benefit corporation).
‘Hay ground’ would likely meet the definition of continuous living cover (since this is most often a perennial crop such as alfalfa, clover, and/or grass hay). However, establishing hayland by itself is not grant eligible; an applicant would need to demonstrate activities that “develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover”, which is part of the grant criteria.
While this is a competitive grant process, there is not a minimum acreage requirement. The application focuses on the impact the grant will have on your business and how funds will accelerate growth in sales or market and or supply chain outlets for CLC agricultural products. We encourage all that are interested to apply.
Yes, staff time can be included but the funded position must meet the purposes and priority of the grant.
LCCMR funding supports this grant opportunity, so all expenses must follow the LCCMR guidelines and be approved by their staff. The guidance they have provided (below) includes salaried staff and payment for professional/technical services. Please review the Guidance on Allowable Expenses for the full details. The excerpt below was taken from this document.
Eligible Expenses (excerpt)
"Eligible expenses are those expenses solely incurred through project activities that are directly related to and necessary for producing the project outcomes described in the proposal. All proposed expenses must be specified in the proposal submitted. Please note that for non-state entities all funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis, unless otherwise authorized, and all eligible expenses will need to be documented. Eligible expenses may include:
a. Eligible expenditures incurred only after the effective date as approved by LCCMR.
b. Wages and expenses of salaried Recipient employees if specified, documented, and approved. For State Agencies: use of unclassified staff only OR request approval for the use of classified staff accompanied by an explanation of how the agency will backfill that part of the classified staff salary proposed to be paid for with these funds. This is subject to specific discussion and approval by LCCMR.
c. Fringe benefit expenses, such as FICA/Medicare, retirement, and health insurance of Recipient's employees, if specified.
d. Professional and technical services specified in the approved Work Plan that are rendered by individuals or organizations not a part of the Recipient;"
Yes, the LCCMR funding guidelines for royalties, copyrights, patents, and sale of products and assets are defined in MN Statute 116P.10 and they apply to our grant program. The MDA looked into it but were not able to pursue any changes to our statutory language this legislative session.
The review committee will be using the Project Evaluation Profile in the RFP to score each application. Awards will be made based on the scoring criteria. Projects will not be limited by crop. (The Project Evaluation Profile can be found on page 11 of the RFP.)
Yes, your organization can submit two applications for review but however we will limit funding to only one grant per organization. As stated on page 6 of the RFP: “Projects must be conducted by an organization in Minnesota and limited to one (1) grant per organization.”
If all expenses outlined in your proposal will incur after the contract has been signed by all parties, then you can answer “no”. The question is referring to only those expenses you are requesting to fund with the grant.
Grant funds are dispersed on a reimbursement basis. All grantee requests for reimbursement must correspond to the approved grant budget. To receive grant payments, grantees must provide proof that grant project work has been done by submitting details of each purchase on receipts or invoices, and proof that the vendors have been paid. Biannual progress reports are required to be submitted during the duration of the project. Grant payments shall not be made on grants with past due progress reports unless the MDA has given the grantee a written extension. (page 8-9 of RFP)
The goal of the grant is to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development. Some of this development will take time. Please focus your outcomes on the work included for this grant period, but you may include the outcomes and impacts that this project will have on the future.
Proposals will be scored using the Project Evaluation Profile listed on page 11 of the RFP. There is not a criteria for the length of time a farmer has been working with a crop, evaluations will be made using the criteria described in the RFP.
No, there are not parameters on the number of acres you can plant in any crop.
Grant funds are dispersed on a reimbursement basis. All grantee requests for reimbursement must correspond to the approved grant budget. To receive grant payments, grantees must provide proof that grant project work has been done by submitting details of each purchase on receipts or invoices, and proof that the vendors have been paid. Biannual progress reports are required to be submitted during the duration of the project. Grant payments shall not be made on grants with past due progress reports unless the MDA has given the grantee a written extension. (page 8-9 of RFP)
Yes, funds can be used to purchase crop seeds and stock. LCCMR funding supports this grant opportunity, so all expenses must follow the LCCMR guidelines and be approved by their staff. Please review the Guidance on Allowable Expenses for the full details. Additional information on royalties, copyrights, patents, and sale of products and assets are defined in MN Statute 116P.10
Yes, funds can be used to purchase equipment. LCCMR funding supports this grant opportunity, so all expenses must follow the LCCMR guidelines and be approved by their staff. Please review the Guidance on Allowable Expenses for the full details. Additional information on royalties, copyrights, patents, and sale of products and assets are defined in MN Statute 116P.10
No, proposals will be scored using the Project Evaluation Profile listed on page 11 of the RFP. There is not a requirement to be certified organic or to be in a Farm Service Agency program.
All expenses incurred for which the grantee will seek reimbursement, must be documented and record retained. Record keeping is most important during the time period of the grant (May 2023- May 2025). Follow-up surveys may be done to help us determine the long-term impacts of the grant. The MDA may request follow-up information from grantees beyond the term of the grant agreement.
No, water testing is not required as part of this grant.
Yes, staff time can be included but the funded position must meet the purposes and priority of the grant.
LCCMR funding supports this grant opportunity, so all expenses must follow the LCCMR guidelines and be approved by their staff. The guidance they have provided (below) includes salaried staff and payment for professional/technical services. Please review the Guidance on Allowable Expenses for the full details. The excerpt below was taken from this document.
Eligible Expenses (excerpt)
"Eligible expenses are those expenses solely incurred through project activities that are directly related to and necessary for producing the project outcomes described in the proposal. All proposed expenses must be specified in the proposal submitted. Please note that for non-state entities all funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis, unless otherwise authorized, and all eligible expenses will need to be documented. Eligible expenses may include:
a. Eligible expenditures incurred only after the effective date as approved by LCCMR.
b. Wages and expenses of salaried Recipient employees if specified, documented, and approved. For State Agencies: use of unclassified staff only OR request approval for the use of classified staff accompanied by an explanation of how the agency will backfill that part of the classified staff salary proposed to be paid for with these funds. This is subject to specific discussion and approval by LCCMR.
c. Fringe benefit expenses, such as FICA/Medicare, retirement, and health insurance of Recipient's employees, if specified.
d. Professional and technical services specified in the approved Work Plan that are rendered by individuals or organizations not a part of the Recipient;"
