ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened applications for its Green Fertilizer Grant Program. The grant will support Minnesota cooperatives’ investment in the local production of decarbonized nitrogen fertilizer.
The Green Fertilizer Grant helps agricultural and electrical cooperatives registered as 308A or 308B with the state of Minnesota to invest in green fertilizer manufacturing to accelerate localized and sustainable production of nitrogen-based fertilizer. Green fertilizers have significant climate and sustainability benefits compared to fossil-fuel derived nitrogen fertilizers.
Green fertilizers are nitrogen fertilizers produced from water, air, and renewable energy. Using renewable energy in the manufacturing process, this developing technology will serve local producers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through inputs used which are derived from fossil fuel sources. Local production of green fertilizer can provide additional price stability and more predictable supply to Minnesota farmers, while reducing the carbon intensity of agricultural products used throughout supply chains.
Grant Details
The agency may award between $250,000 and $6,665,000 for business-ready and shovel-ready projects. The total number of awards and the funding per award will be determined through the proposal review process. The grant program will prioritize projects demonstrating strong business readiness, and demonstrating support through private financing, state loans, or federal sources.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered as a 308A or 308B agricultural or rural electric cooperative with the state of Minnesota. Applicants must commit to long-term offtake agreements with green fertilizer manufacturers and commit to provide training in fertilizer best management practices. The green fertilizer must be produced from green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced using water and renewable energy like wind and solar.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. For full eligibility requirements and details of the application process, review the request for proposal (RFP) found on the Green Fertilizer Grant webpage.
–Minnesota Department of Agriculture
