Farm Bill Assistance Partnership
BWSR is authorized to grant funds for MN Farm Bill Assistance Program to Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs; Laws of Minnesota 2015, 1st Spec. Sess. chapter 2 article 2, section 7(f), 7(g), 7(l), Laws of Minnesota 2016, chapter 172, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2(g), 4(c), Laws of Minnesota 2017, chapter 91, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2(g), 4(c), article 2, section 7(f), 7(g), 7(k)).
The MN Farm Bill Assistance grant (FBA) is considered as support to accelerate staff capacity to deliver programs that improve wildlife habitat and water quality. Related expenses include:
- Marketing and consultation on conservation programs that achieve clean water, grassland, and wetland cover. Programs such as the MN Buffer Initiative, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP), Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE), Working Lands Initiative (WLI), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), MN Clean Water Funding, MN Prairie Conservation Plan, MN Pheasant Action Plan, Prairie Bank, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Habitat Easements.
- Contracts, easements, and conservation plans for these programs
- Facilitate practice implementation with vendors
- Mid-contract management planning/consulting or vegetation enhancement activities
- Guidance of landowners on non-FBA activities to appropriate staff/programs
- Attendance at training events and meetings necessary to stay up-to-date on private lands program offerings
- MN Buffer Initiative only, staff will assist with landowner contacts, establishment, cost-share, and conservation program enrollment options. Staff are not to be involved in regulatory actions.
To be eligible, a SWCD must be located within the 54 county MN CREP area.
General Program Information
The purpose of the MN Farm Bill Assistance Partnership is to accelerate the implementation of conservation programs in Minnesota by adding capacity to consult with landowners in the delivery of conservation programs on private land. The end result is more acres of best management practices, buffers, grasslands, and wetlands for water quality and wildlife habitat. This program operates on a quarterly reimbursement basis for actual hours worked under the agreement. All grantees are required to report quarterly on the outcomes, activities, and accomplishments via an invoice to receive reimbursement.
- Farm Bill Assistance Staff Guidance & Reporting
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Farm Bill Assistance Staff Guidance (pdf)
Farm Bill Assistance Quarterly Report Example (pdf)
Farm Bill Assistance Accomplishments (1999 - September 2018) (pdf)
- Farm Bill Assistance Staff Locations & Contact Information
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Farm Bill Assistance Staff Locations Map (pdf)
Farm Bill Assistance Staff Information (pdf)
Farm Bill Assistance SWCD Manager/Main Contact Information (pdf)