FY25 Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives Grant Program:
The BWSR FY25 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) State Incentives Grant Program is made possible through an appropriation from general funds (Laws of Minnesota 2023, Chapter 60, Article 1, Section 4 paragraph (s)) “$3,000,000 the first year is to provide onetime state incentive payments to enrollees in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the continuous enrollment period and to enroll complementary areas in conservation easements consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515. The board may establish payment rates based on land valuation and on environmental benefit criteria, including but not limited to surface water or groundwater pollution reduction, drinking water protection, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements. The board may use state funds to implement the program and to provide technical assistance to landowners or their agents to fulfill enrollment and contract provisions….”
Continuous CRP is a voluntary land conservation program that is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Landowners can enroll or reenroll eligible environmentally sensitive acres into a 10-15 year contract and receive an annual rental rate payment to establish and maintain the required vegetative cover.
FY25 Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives Grant Program Eligible Activities and Watershed Eligibility Criteria
Program Eligible Activities:
Conservation Reserve Program State Incentive Grants provide eligible Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan partnerships and Watershed Management planning areas with funds to incentive landowner enrollment and re-enrollment into the federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) and associated administrative and project development responsibilities. Eligible activities include:
Incentives payments for the enrollment or re-enrollment into the federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) for the installation or preservation of CCRP practices that improve or protect surface water or groundwater pollution, drinking water, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements.
A maximum of up to 10 percent (10%) of the total grant may be used for administrative and project development expenses.
Watershed Eligibility Criteria:
A Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan partnership and Watershed Management planning area are eligible for the FY25 Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives Grant Program if the following Criteria is met:
Have a Board of Water and Soil Resources approved Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan authorized under Minnesota statute §103B.801 or Minnesota Statute §103B.231at the time of program approval.
30% or greater of the total Comprehensive Watershed Management (CWMA) Plan acres or Watershed Management Plan acres outside of CWMA Plan boundary(s) having a designation of cultivated acres.
FY25 Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives Grant Program - Watershed Allocation List
Watershed | FY25 Grant Amount | Watershed | FY25 Grant Amount |
Mustinka/Bois de Sioux River | $135,000 | Wild Rice-Marsh River | $100,000 |
Middle-Snake-Tamarac River | $135,000 | Des Moines River | $100,000 |
Missouri River Basin | $135,000 | Buffalo-Red River | $100,000 |
South Fork Crow River | $135,000 | Greater Zumbro | $100,000 |
Yellow Medicine River | $100,000 | Two Rivers Plus | $100,000 |
Lac qui Parle - Yellow Bank | $100,000 | Red Lake River | $100,000 |
Pomme de Terre River | $100,000 | Thief River | $100,000 |
Clearwater River | $100,000 | Cedar - Wapsipinicon | $50,000 |
Cannon River | $100,000 | Long Prairie River | $50,000 |
Le Sueur River | $100,000 | Sand Hill River | $50,000 |
Watonwan River | $100,000 | Shell Rock – Winnebago | $50,000 |
Hawk Creek - Middle Minnesota | $100,000 | Mississippi River Winona/La Crescent | $50,000 |
Lower Minnesota River West | $100,000 | Upper Minnesota River | $50,000 |
North Fork Crow River | $100,000 | Carver County WMO | $20,000 |
Sauk River | $100,000 | Scott County WMO | $20,000 |
Root River | $100,000 | Vermillion River WMO | $20,000 |
Roseau River | $100,000 |
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Non-eLINK Reporting Required | Yes – Outcomes survey completed annually and at grant closeout |
Work Plan Required | Yes |
Match Requirement | No match required |
Payment Schedule | 100% Advance Payment |
Grant Agreement Deadline | December 31, 2026 |
For additional information on the program contact your BWSR Board Conservationist.
Useful Links:
FSA Continuous CRP Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/crp-continuous-enrollment/index
FSA Continuous CRP Factsheet: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/crp-continuous-enrollment-period-factsheet.pdf
CRP Practices: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/crp-practices-library/index
CRP Reports and Statistics: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/reports-and-statistics/index
BWSR Summary of Conservation Lands by County: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/summary-conservation-lands-county
FAQ
Q: When can work begin under the CRP Incentive State Grants Program?
A: Work cannot begin on any BWSR grant until the date when the grant is officially executed by BWSR. The project period starts when the grant agreement is “executed,” meaning all required signatures have been obtained. Work that occurs before this date is not eligible for reimbursement with grant funds and cannot be used as match.
For the CRP State Incentive Grant Program, a funding request and a work plan must be completed by the grantee and approved by BWSR staff before the grant agreement can be signed by BWSR.
Q: Is there a spending limit for administration cost or project development costs?
A: Yes, no more than 10% of the total grant amount can be used to pay for administration and project development costs. Grantees should ensure costs are allocated to the appropriate budget category.
Q: Is match required for the CRP State Incentive Grant Program?
A: No, there is no match requirement for the CRP State Incentive Grant Program.
Q: Can grant funds be used to purchase equipment?
A: No, equipment purchases are not eligible.
Q: What activities can the grants fund be used for?
A: CRP State Incentive Grant Program funds can be used for incentive payments that encourage the enrollment or re-enrollment into the federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) for the installation or preservation of CCRP practices that improve or protect surface water or groundwater pollution, drinking water, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements. A maximum of up to 10 percent (10%) of the total grant may be used for administrative and project development expenses.
Q: Are grantees required to map and report indicators in eLINK?
A: No, grantees are not required to map or report nutrients reductions in eLINK. A separate survey requesting information on practice types and sizes will be sent out at the end of each of calendar year and at the time of closing out the grant.
Q: Will there be additional reporting done outside of eLINK?
A: Yes, grantees will be given access to an online form to track accomplishments annually and at the time closing out the grant.
Q: Is a local cost share policy required?
A: Yes, before the eLINK workplan is approved a copy of the local cost share policy that guides the use of these funds is required to be uploaded in eLINK. See the Recommended Local Polices and Requirements chapter of the Grants Administration Manual for guidance.
Q: Can CRP State Incentive Grant Program funds be used for practices enrolled in CREP, CLEAR30, or General CRP?
A: No, these funds are to be used only for incentivizing enrollment or re-enrollment into the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.
Q: When can the Incentive be paid to the land occupier?
A: The incentive payment can be made after the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has approved the Continuous CRP Contract (CRP-1 form).
Q: Is a cost share contract required?
A: Yes, if a land occupier is receiving an incentive payment a contract is required. The effective life of the contract will match the FSA CRP contract effective life. For optional and example cost share contract templates, please see the BWSR Optional and Example Forms chapter of the Grants Administration Manual.
Q: What is the Grant Agreement expiration date for the CRP State Incentive Grant Program?
A: December 31, 2026
Q: Will there be additional reporting done outside of eLINK?
A: Yes, grantees will be given access to an online form to track accomplishments annually and at the time closing out the grant.