Continuous Living Cover Crops appropriation

This bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund grants supporting Minnesota organizations developing markets and supply chains for continuous living cover crops. It specifically targets early-stage commercial systems like Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, elderberry, and regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, with grants requiring input from the agriculture commissioner. Grantees cannot receive duplicate funding for the same purpose from another agency in the same year. The commissioner must report by January 15, 2027, on how funds were used, including administrative costs. This is a one-time appropriation focused on advancing specific agricultural innovation.