Purpose

• Establish a rotational grazing pilot program run by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to award grants to Minnesota farmers. The goal is to support rotational grazing projects that enhance prairies and woodlands and help protect surface and drinking water sources.

Key definitions and goals

• Rotational grazing: a grazing system where fields are divided into smaller paddocks, livestock density is controlled, and animals are rotated through paddocks to maintain vegetative cover, provide fresh forage, and reduce soil compaction and erosion.

Main provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Administration

  • The commissioner of agriculture must create and run the rotational grazing pilot program and award grants to farmers for rotational grazing projects.

• Subdivision 2 — Grant purposes

  • Grants may be used for either: 1) establishing perennial forages for rotational grazing, or 2) purchasing rotational grazing system infrastructure (like fencing and watering systems) to support rotational grazing.
  • Rotational grazing of perennial forage or cover crops that help protect surface or drinking water sources is allowed.
  • Grants may be used for grazing on private or public land the farmer is authorized to graze.

• Subdivision 3 — Awarding grants

  • Grants are limited to Minnesota farmers implementing a new rotational grazing system or a new practice that improves conservation and water protection.
  • No single grantee can receive more than $25,000.
  • All grant money is disbursed as reimbursements after the grantee completes required grazing system updates.
  • Reimbursement must occur within six months after the commissioner verifies completion.
  • Grantees must provide evidence of successful implementation to receive reimbursement.
  • Grant agreements must include a 50 percent match from the farmer (this match can be in the form of services, materials, or cash contributed by the grantee).

• Subdivision 4 — Reporting

  • By January 15, 2028, the commissioner must report to the appropriate legislative chairs and ranking minority members on the results of the grant awards, including how many grants were awarded, their total amounts, and how they were distributed by county.

Funding and appropriation

• Sec. 2 — Funding
  • $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to the commissioner of agriculture for the rotational grazing pilot program.

Implementation and impact

• This bill creates a new pilot program within the Department of Agriculture to fund and test rotational grazing practices.
• It emphasizes water protection and conservation by promoting perennial forage and grazing-related infrastructure.
• It imposes cost-sharing and reimbursement requirements to ensure farmer investment and accountability.
• It requires a formal report to lawmakers on program results, including geographic distribution.

Significant changes to law

• Establishes a new rotational grazing pilot program and grant framework within the Department of Agriculture.
• Introduces a funding mechanism from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to support the program.
• Adds specific grant terms (cap per grantee, reimbursement model, matching requirement, and reporting obligations).

Relevant Terms - rotational grazing - paddocks - perennial forages - cover crops - grazing system infrastructure - fencing - watering systems - surface water - drinking water sources - conservation - water protection - Minnesota Department of Agriculture - commissioner of agriculture - grant - reimbursement - match - environment and natural resources trust fund - appropriation - fiscal year 2027 - pilot program - private land - public land - county distribution - proof of implementation - reporting by January 15, 2028