When federal funding pipelines stall, state-level capital is moving fast — and landing directly with producers.
Minnesota's Soil Health Financial Assistance Program (SHFAP) awarded $4.7 million to 166 farms and watersheds across 79 counties this year — a record by every measure. The program now funds roughly 50% of requests, up from just 20% in 2023. Grants cover up to 50% of the cost of no-till drills, air seeders, cover crop drones, and strip-tillage units. In a year when federal funding pipelines have been unreliable, this is state-level capital moving fast and landing directly with producers.
Read more on MPR News →No-till drills, cover crop drones, strip-till equipment — these are capital items that change your cost-per-acre for years. Cost-share at 50% is real money, and this program is more accessible than it has ever been. At the same time, growers building tighter nutrient logistics — poultry litter, shorter supply chains — are the ones creating the operational efficiency the grant is designed to support.
Contact your local SWCD office now. Equipment purchases for fall soil health work may be eligible. Funding is competitive and moves fast — don't wait until the application window is crowded.