Purpose

The bill creates a rotational grazing pilot program run by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The goal is to help Minnesota farmers use rotational grazing practices on fields to boost the health of prairies and woodlands and to protect surface and drinking water sources.

Definition of rotational grazing

Rotational grazing is a livestock system where fields are divided into smaller paddocks. Livestock density is controlled, and animals are moved through paddocks in a way that maintains vegetative cover, provides fresh forage, and reduces soil compaction and erosion.

Grant purposes

Grants can be used for: - Establishing perennial forages for rotational grazing of livestock, or - Purchasing rotational grazing system infrastructure to support rotational grazing (including fencing, watering, and other livestock management tools). Rotational grazing of perennial forage or cover crops that help protect surface or drinking water sources is allowed.

Grant awarding criteria

Grants are available to Minnesota farmers who implement a new rotational grazing system in Minnesota or a new rotational grazing practice that improves the conservation and water protection of existing grazing systems.

Grant limits and terms

• A single grantee may receive no more than $25,000 in grants.
• All grant funds must be disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
• Reimbursement must occur within six months after the grantee completes necessary grazing system updates and provides evidence of successful implementation.

Match and program administration

• Each grant requires a 50 percent match from the farmer (this can be in the form of services, materials, or cash contributed toward the project).
• The commissioner must administer the program and reimburse approved grantees after verifying completion of the required updates.

Reporting

By January 15, 2028, the commissioner must report to the leaders of the legislative committees on agriculture and environment and natural resources trust fund the results of the grant awards, including how many grants were awarded, the total amount, and the county distribution.

Funding and appropriation

• The bill appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to the commissioner of agriculture for the rotational grazing pilot program.

Significance / expected impact

• Establishes a formal funding program to promote grazing management that can help protect water sources and enhance natural resources.
• Encourages farmers to adopt new rotational practices and invest in infrastructure to support sustainable grazing.
• Creates a measurable reporting requirement to track program outcomes and geographic distribution.

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Relevant Terms rotational grazing; paddocks; fencing; watering infrastructure; perennial forages; cover crops; surface water; drinking water sources; conservation; water protection; grants; reimbursement; 50 percent match; grant cap; Minnesota farmers; pilot program; Department of Agriculture; Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund; appropriation; fiscal year 2027; reporting; grazing updates.