Funding available to NE MN farms for climate resiliency projects

DULUTH — Small farms in northeastern Minnesota are encouraged to apply for the Farmer Climate Action Fund, on-farm project funding that address climate change and resilience.

These projects could include planting wildlife corridors, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy alternatives, planting nitrogen cover crops and other projects that implement conservation practices.

David Abasz, executive director of the University of Minnesota Extension Northeast Regional Development Partnership, shared in a news release that he always has ideas that would improve his farm's climate resilience.

“The new funding will support Northeast farmers to be innovative while also reducing the risks that often come from incorporating climate change adaptations on their farms," Abazs said. "This is a real opportunity to get creative.”

The Northeast RDSP will accept applications through Feb. 14, with awards announced in early March. Priority will be given to projects that are shovel-ready and can be completed by the end of the year.

Farmers in Koochiching, Itasca, Aitkin, Pine, Carlton, St Louis, Lake and Cook counties, as well as farmers from the Grand Portage, Fond du Lac and Bois Forte reservations, are encouraged to apply.

More information is available at the U of M Extension website.