US States Roll Out New Agricultural Cost‑Share Grant Programs

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reopening its Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, offering $5 million in state and EPA‑funded grants. Applications are accepted online from Aug 3 to Aug 31, with awards of $500‑$45,000 covering up to 50 % of costs for equipment such as no‑till drills, air seeders and strip‑tillage units. Grants aim to help producers adopt soil‑building practices and will be announced by Jan 1, 2027.

Meanwhile, the Northwest Florida Water Management District has opened its Agricultural Cost‑Share Grant Funding Program for the 2026 cycle. The application window runs Aug 1–Sept 30 and targets projects that improve water quality and reduce water use in the Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola River Springs groundwater areas of Jackson and Calhoun counties. Eligible activities include irrigation and fertilizer efficiency, conservation tillage, and livestock BMPs, with required BMP enrollment and equipment inspections.