MN Department Of Ag Offering Grants To Mitigate Weeds & Plants

This is the fifth year that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture {MDA) has grant funds available to mitigate noxious weeds and invasive plants in Minnesota. Since 2018 the MDA has awarded over $1 million that funded a variety of activities like buying equipment and supplies, organizing mapping and outreach activities, and even hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds in Minnesota. The program is officially called the 2022 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. The goal of the program is to support local projects.

We hear a lot about buckthorn and wild parsnip taking over wooded areas, road ditches and other natural areas. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has programs to try and control buckthorn but it is so widespread it is nice to see other ways citizens can help control an invasive weed like buckthorn.

There is a request for proposals and the application on the MDA website. If you have questions you can email Emilie Justen, MDA Noxious Weed Coordinator at : emilie.justin@state.mn.us. The applications must be submitted by 3:00 pm on December 3, 2021.