The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including Cooperative Weed Management Areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state.

Since 2018, the MDA Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant, which the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association supports, has awarded over $1.5 million to fund a variety of activities, such as implementing weed management outreach, purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach activities, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds. One hundred sixty-five projects have been awarded, averaging $9,000 per award.

Awareness of noxious weeds has increased in communities that have received this funding in the past. Infestations of species such as wild parsnip and poison hemlock have been reduced in areas where municipalities have focused on treatments for several years. Organizations that have received funding from this grant are improving weed management practices, including identifying weeds earlier, and improving treatment timing.

Applications for this new round of invasive plant grants can be reviewed and downloaded on MDA’s website. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2024. Questions can be directed to Emilie Justen, MDA noxious weed law coordinator, at Emilie.Justen@state.mn.us.

Funding for this grant originates from the 2023 Laws of Minnesota, Chapter 43, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 2 (d). Funding will be allocated through a competitive process with review by the MDA Noxious Weed Program and the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. Selected grantees will be announced in early 2025.