Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program Grant

Note:
If the number of acres enrolled exceed the program limit by the deadline above, a waiting list will be established.
Because this program operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis, the waiting list will apply only to applicants who submitted within the application window and will be used only for this year’s program. Individuals on the waiting list may be contacted if current applicants withdraw or are no longer interested.
The Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program provides incentive payments to farmers for reducing the application rate of commercial nitrogen fertilizer when using a qualifying biofertilizer product and incorporating innovative technologies into their crop nutrient management. The program is available for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons.
The program is open for all agricultural crops that have a recommended nitrogen fertilizer rate published by the University of Minnesota. Recommended rates can be found by crop, Crop-specific nutrient needs | University of Minnesota.
Payment Rate and Crops
Farmers meeting program requirements will receive a payment of $15 per acre.
The maximum amount of land each farm entity can enroll is up to 3,000 acres. The MDA reserves the right to limit the number of acres enrolled per applicant based on the number of applications received.
Qualifying Biofertilizer Products
The biofertilizer product(s) used is at the discretion of the farmer when the following requirements are met:
The product must be registered as a specialty fertilizer, soil or plant amendment, or licensed as a fertilizer with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and
The product label must specify that the product provides a source of nitrogen or nutrients supplied by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Visit the Registered Product Search to find products holding a current registration in Minnesota.
The intent of the program is to improve nitrogen management and incorporate innovative technologies, so compost or a continued use of legume inoculants will not be eligible under the program.

Eligibility

To be eligible for payment, a farmer must: Be a Minnesota resident operating farmland located in the counties of Becker, Benton, Carver, Cass, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, or Winona;Enroll a minimum of 40 eligible acres;Apply to participate in the program by the deadline; andAfter the growing season, submit documentation that shows a reduction in the use of commercial nitrogen fertilizer rate by the lesser of 15% or 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre of their baseline application rate by using a qualifying biofertilizer product.

Ineligibility

Compost or a continued use of legume inoculants will not be eligible under the program.