The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $537,000 to combat noxious weeds across Minnesota. Thirty-five projects are being funded though the 2020 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association has long advocated for funding to help farmers protect their fields against noxious weeds.

The money, awarded to cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and tribal nations will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct mapping and outreach activities and hire private applicators to manage noxious weeds.

Noxious weeds are plants that have the potential or are known to be harmful to human or animal health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock or other property. There are currently 48 plants on Minnesota’s Noxious Weed List.

Grants were funded at two levels for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20). Twenty-three Level 1 projects were awarded up to $10,000 each to be spent in one year to support local activity. Twelve Level 2 projects were awarded between $10,000 and $50,000 each to be spent over two years to promote collaboration with entities within and outside their jurisdictions.

MDA anticipates another $100,000 will be available through the Noxious and Invasive Plant Grant for the next fiscal year (FY21: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released by September 2020 and grants will be awarded in 2021.

Visit the MDA website to learn more about the state’s Noxious Weed Program.