SF 3686

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/03/2026 08:56 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a rotational grazing pilot program; requiring
a report; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin ROTATIONAL GRAZING PILOT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of agriculture must establish and
administer a rotational grazing pilot program that awards grants to Minnesota farmers for
rotational grazing projects to enhance the use of prairies and woodlands and help protect
surface or drinking water sources. For purposes of this program, "rotational grazing" means
a livestock grazing system in which fields are subdivided into smaller paddocks, livestock
density is controlled, and livestock is rotated through paddocks at a frequency that maintains
vegetative cover, ensures regular access to fresh forage, and reduces soil compaction and
erosion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant purposes. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must award grants to Minnesota farmers
for either of the following purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) to establish perennial forages for rotational grazing of livestock; or
new text end

new text begin (2) to purchase rotational grazing system infrastructure, including fencing, watering,
and other livestock management infrastructure to support rotational grazing of livestock.
Rotational grazing of perennial forage or cover crops that help protect surface or drinking
water sources are permitted purposes under this clause. Rotational grazing on any private
or public land on which the farmer is authorized to graze is permitted under this clause.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Awarding grants. new text end

new text begin (a) Grants under subdivision 2 must only be awarded to a
Minnesota farmer implementing a new rotational grazing system in Minnesota or a new
rotational grazing practice that improves the conservation and water protection of existing
grazing systems in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) The department must not award more than $25,000 in grants to any one grantee.
new text end

new text begin (c) All grant money must be disbursed on a reimbursement basis. The commissioner
must reimburse a grantee under this section within six months after confirming that the
grantee has completed necessary grazing systems updates. A grantee must provide evidence
of successful implementation of rotational grazing practices to receive reimbursement.
new text end

new text begin (d) A grant agreement must include a 50 percent match from the farmer. A match includes
services, materials, or cash that the grantee contributed to accomplish grant objectives.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2028, the commissioner must report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over agriculture
and the environment and natural resources trust fund on the results of the grant awards under
this section, including the number, amount, and distribution by county of grant awards.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the environment and natural resources
trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture for the rotational grazing pilot program.
new text end