Last updated April 2026
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Minnesota Farm Programs: Dairy Waste, Cover Crops & Wetland Restoration

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Quick Facts
Farms & Ranches ~68,000 (2022 USDA Census)
Top Commodities Corn, soybeans, hogs, dairy, cattle & calves, turkeys, sugar beets, wheat
Total Ag Land ~25.8 million acres
Average Farm Size ~379 acres
EQIP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area , contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
CSP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area , contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
State NRCS Office (651) 602-7900 · St. Paul, MN

Federal Programs in Minnesota

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state , each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Minnesota. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Minnesota

Minnesota EQIP Priorities:

  • Water quality (Mississippi River and Great Lakes)
  • Soil health on cropland
  • Grazing management
  • Livestock waste management (dairy and hog)
  • Wildlife habitat , Prairie Pothole Region
  • Cover crops and drainage management

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

  • Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
  • Livestock water development
  • Prescribed grazing systems
  • Waste management systems
  • Heavy use area protection
  • Nutrient management
  • Windbreak establishment

EQIP in Minnesota , What to Ask About: Minnesota participates in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which provides dedicated EQIP funding for water quality practices in priority watersheds in the Lake Superior region. For livestock operations, EQIP can assist with nutrient management, waste storage, prescribed grazing, and fencing. Minnesota's prairie pothole region is also important for waterfowl habitat, and EQIP can assist with grassland and wetland buffer practices. Ask your local NRCS office which GLRI priority watersheds and other initiatives apply to your area.

Minnesota EQIP payment schedules: Available on the Minnesota NRCS website.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Minnesota

CSP rewards producers for conservation practices already in place and pays for new enhancements. Well-managed operations with rotational grazing, maintained fencing, and conservation practices are strong candidates.

→ Read the full CSP guide

FSA Programs in Minnesota

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations in Minnesota.

Key FSA Programs:

  • Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
  • Microloans (up to $50,000 , simplified application)
  • Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
  • Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) : Flooding, blizzard, drought, and severe storm losses
  • ELAP , covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency costs
  • Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) : triggered by drought monitor conditions

Minnesota FSA State Office: (651) 602-7700

Minnesota-Specific Programs

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)

Minnesota has 90 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. BWSR coordinates state conservation programs including cost-share.

Website: bwsr.state.mn.us

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)

Voluntary certification program that provides regulatory certainty for 10 years in exchange for meeting water quality standards. Can strengthen EQIP applications.

Minnesota Cattlemen's Association

Website: mncattle.org

Minnesota Tax Provisions for Ag

  • Agricultural Property Tax (Green Acres): Agricultural land is assessed based on agricultural productivity. Minnesota also has a Rural Preserve program for land near urban areas.
  • State Income Tax: Progressive rates, top rate 9.85% (among the highest). Farm income is subject to state tax.
  • Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm equipment, livestock, feed, and agricultural inputs are exempt from Minnesota sales tax.
  • Beginning Farmer Tax Credit: Minnesota offers tax credits for asset owners who rent or sell to beginning farmers.

RCPP in Minnesota

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in Minnesota

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

State Resources

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Program Typical Deadline Window Notes
EQIP Primary Batching Nov–Feb (varies by area) Check with local NRCS for exact date
CSP Ranking Varies Check state ranking dates page
CRP General Sign-up When announced by FSA Not always open every year
LFP (Livestock Forage) Triggered by D2+ Drought Monitor designation Monitor drought conditions
LIP (Livestock Indemnity) 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window
ELAP 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window

Your Next Steps in Minnesota

  1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: Take the eligibility screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
  3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
  4. MAWQCP certification provides 10 years of regulatory certainty and strengthens EQIP applications
  5. Minnesota's beginning farmer tax credit benefits both new farmers and the landowners who rent to them

Tools for Minnesota Ranchers

Run the numbers before your next USDA visit. Each tool takes 2–3 minutes.

EQIP Cost Estimator → PRF Rainfall Analysis → Drought Dashboard → Deadline Calendar → Emergency Triage → Program Screener →

County Guides (87 counties)

Each county guide includes local USDA office information, relevant programs, and conservation priorities specific to that area.

Aitkincattle, corn · 449 farms Anokasod, corn, soybeans · 355 farms Beckercorn, soybeans, milk · 952 farms Beltramicattle, soybeans · 608 farms Bentonmilk, corn, cattle · 687 farms Big Stonecorn, soybeans, hogs · 392 farms Blue Earthhogs, corn, soybeans · 1,019 farms Browncorn, hogs, soybeans · 973 farms Carltoncattle, goats, goats · 463 farms Carvercorn, soybeans, milk · 606 farms Casscattle, corn, soybeans · 488 farms Chippewacorn, soybeans, hogs · 563 farms Chisagocorn, soybeans, milk · 740 farms Claycorn, soybeans, wheat · 655 farms Clearwatercattle, soybeans · 404 farms Cookcattle · 25 farms Cottonwoodcorn, hogs, soybeans · 742 farms Crow Wingcorn, cattle, milk · 426 farms Dakotacorn, cattle, soybeans · 841 farms Dodgecorn, soybeans, hogs · 614 farms Douglascorn, soybeans, milk · 980 farms Faribaultcorn, hogs, soybeans · 773 farms Fillmorecorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,458 farms Freeborncorn, hogs, soybeans · 908 farms Goodhuecorn, milk, soybeans · 1,406 farms Grantcorn, soybeans, cattle · 529 farms Hennepinsoybeans, corn, mushrooms · 511 farms Houstonmilk, corn, cattle · 797 farms Hubbardcorn, cattle, soybeans · 336 farms Isanticorn, soybeans, hogs · 814 farms Itascasoybeans, corn, deer · 424 farms Jacksoncorn, soybeans, hogs · 845 farms Kanabeccorn, soybeans, cattle · 531 farms Kandiyohicorn, milk, soybeans · 1,252 farms Kittsonwheat, soybeans · 613 farms Koochichingsoybeans, cattle, wheat · 190 farms Lac qui Parlecorn, soybeans, hogs · 735 farms Lakehogs, cattle, honey · 34 farms Lake of the Woodssoybeans, wheat, barley · 186 farms Le Sueurcorn, soybeans, hogs · 896 farms Lincolncorn, hogs, soybeans · 598 farms Lyonhogs, corn, soybeans · 869 farms Mahnomencorn, soybeans, wheat · 268 farms Marshallsoybeans, wheat · 1,072 farms Martinhogs, corn, soybeans · 823 farms McLeodcorn, soybeans, cattle · 801 farms Meekercorn, soybeans, milk · 991 farms Mille Lacscorn, cattle, soybeans · 603 farms Morrisonmilk, corn, cattle · 1,571 farms Mowercorn, hogs, soybeans · 999 farms Murraycorn, hogs, soybeans · 789 farms Nicollethogs, corn, soybeans · 660 farms Nobleshogs, corn, cattle · 938 farms Normansoybeans, corn, wheat · 435 farms Olmstedcorn, soybeans, milk · 1,102 farms Otter Tailcorn, soybeans, milk · 2,497 farms Penningtonsoybeans, wheat, corn · 322 farms Pinemilk, corn, cattle · 728 farms Pipestonehogs, corn, cattle · 529 farms Polkwheat, soybeans, corn · 1,223 farms Popecorn, soybeans, hogs · 821 farms Ramseyflowering plants, potted, transplants, hemp · 47 farms Red Lakesoybeans, wheat, corn · 274 farms Redwoodcorn, hogs, soybeans · 1,323 farms Renvillecorn, soybeans, hogs · 931 farms Ricecorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,111 farms Rockhogs, corn, cattle · 573 farms Roseausoybeans, wheat · 751 farms Scottcorn, soybeans, milk · 624 farms Sherburnecorn, cattle, soybeans · 494 farms Sibleycorn, soybeans, hogs · 860 farms St. Louiscattle, milk · 821 farms Stearnsmilk, corn, cattle · 2,695 farms Steelecorn, hogs, soybeans · 721 farms Stevenscorn, hogs, soybeans · 500 farms Swiftcorn, soybeans, cattle · 708 farms Toddmilk, corn, cattle · 1,529 farms Traversecorn, soybeans, wheat · 358 farms Wabashamilk, corn, soybeans · 743 farms Wadenacorn, soybeans, cattle · 442 farms Wasecacorn, hogs, soybeans · 622 farms Washingtoncorn, soybeans, milk · 525 farms Watonwancorn, hogs, soybeans · 512 farms Wilkincorn, soybeans, wheat · 358 farms Winonamilk, corn, cattle · 993 farms Wrightcorn, soybeans, milk · 1,310 farms Yellow Medicinecorn, hogs, soybeans · 847 farms

Built by ranchers who've been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

By Doug McCarty · Spencer Shadow Ranch, Oregon · Last updated 2026-04