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The MDA is seeking input on items and parameters to consider while developing a new grant program for Developing Markets for Continuous Living Cover Crops (CLC).

While the grant program was approved in the 2022 legislative session, few guidelines for program development or implementation were included in the legislative language.

2022 Legislative Language:

“$500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development, including but not limited to regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry.”

Total grant funding available: $405,250

Funding Eligibility

Who: Organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets

Organization is broadly defined as: A group of people, structured in a specific way to achieve a series of shared goals. The term organization includes a company, government, tribe, urban American Indian Community, partnership, and any type of civil or political association of people. An individual is not considered an organization.

What: Continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development, including but not limited to regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry. For example, this could include customized harvesting, seed cleaning and storage, and processing equipment to make food products, developing markets, and bringing these products to consumers.

Please answer the following to share your input.