Nitrogen Management Financial Assistance Grant

The Nitrogen Management Financial Assistance Pilot Program offers competitive funding of up to $5,000 per year for three years to producers implementing agricultural practices that minimize nitrate-nitrogen leaching into groundwater. Funded by the 2023 Legislative Session, the program encourages sustainable farming initiatives within Level 2 Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. Eligible practices include cover crops and precision agriculture, aiming to protect water resources while supporting agricultural productivity.

The Nitrogen Management Financial Assistance Pilot Program is a competitive funding opportunity for producers who implement agricultural practices (initiatives) that have the potential to reduce leaching of nitrate-nitrogen into groundwater. This program is funded through the 2023 Legislative Session, which established a funding source to promote practices that reduce nitrate in groundwater.
Amount available
Funding is limited to $5,000 per year, per producer for up to three years to implement one or more of the agricultural initiatives listed under “Eligible Projects”.

Eligibility

Applicants must:Be an owner or lessee currently operating crop land within a Level 2 Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA). A list of Level 2 DWSMAs can be found on the Mitigation Level Determination page.Choose one or more options from a suite of ten agricultural practices (initiatives) that have the potential to reduce nitrate in groundwater.Complete the minimum requirements for a selected initiative prior to consideration for payment of grant funds.Eligible practices include cover crop, delayed cover crop termination, demonstration site, manure management, nitrogen reduction, perennial crop, precision ag, pre-plant nitrogen test, relay crop, and small grain.

Ineligibility

Practices implemented prior to contract certification are not eligible for funding through this initiative. In other words, no money can be spent toward implementation of a practice until the grant is awarded and a grant contract agreement is signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.