MN HF3728

Creates a Minnesota Native Perennials Establishment Cost-Share Program allowing the state board to allocate funds to districts for sharing costs of native perennial establishment under existing cost-share contract processes.

Eligible land must be owned by the landowner or a blood relative, at least 5-80 acres in size, in agricultural use or enrolled in federal/state conservation programs for at least 4 of the last 6 years, located in a local water quality priority area, and within 50 miles of a bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock market.

Cost-share grants cover up to 75 percent of site preparation, seeding, and related establishment costs.

Landowners must maintain native perennials for at least 15 years, keep records, follow state board guidelines, plant at least 25 species including grasses and legumes, and follow an approved operation and maintenance plan.

Participating landowners may conduct haying, native seed propagation, bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock production, and grass-based agriculture for 15 years, with fertilization limited to nutrient removal by crops.