By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has launched a new program designed to help farmers improve nitrogen management while protecting water quality and soil health. The initiative is called the Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program and will support farmers who want to try new nutrient management practices.
The program encourages the use of biofertilizers, which are products that provide nitrogen through microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. These biological products help crops receive nutrients while reducing the amount of commercial fertilizer needed.
Applications for the 2026 growing season opened on March 2 and will remain available until May 1. Farmers can apply on a first-come first-served basis. Participants in the program may receive payments of $15 per acre if they reduce their commercial nitrogen fertilizer use.
To qualify for the payment, farmers must lower their nitrogen application rate by the lesser of 15% or 30 pounds per acre while using a qualifying biofertilizer product.
“This program is about supporting farmers who want to try new approaches to nutrient management while maintaining productivity,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “By incentivizing the use of biofertilizers and precision technologies, we can reduce nitrogen loss and protect Minnesota’s water resources.”
The program will be available for both the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons. Farmers can enroll between 40 and 3,000 acres of eligible farmland located in participating Minnesota counties.
Eligible counties include 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, and Winona.
Farmers interested in applying must first register in the State of Minnesota SWIFT system to receive a vendor number. After registration, they must complete and submit the electronic application form.
Applications will be accepted until May 1 or until program capacity is reached. Grant agreements must be signed by May 29. Payments will be issued after farmers submit documentation confirming nitrogen reduction and biofertilizer use by November 30, 2026.
The program has a total budget of $500,000, which will be shared between the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons.
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
Categories: Minnesota, Sustainable Agriculture