The bill proposes an appropriation of $5,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the development of continuous living cover crops and related cropping systems in Minnesota. This funding will be allocated to the commissioner of employment and economic development, who will work in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture to provide grants to organizations focused on creating enterprises, supply chains, and markets for these crops. Specific examples of supported initiatives include regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry. Importantly, grantees are prohibited from receiving funding for the same purposes from another agency within the same calendar year.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by January 15, 2027, the commissioner must submit a report to the legislative committees overseeing economic development and agriculture. This report will detail the utilization of the grant funds, including the amount allocated for administrative purposes. The appropriation is designated as a one-time funding measure, emphasizing its temporary nature in supporting the early stages of commercial development for these agricultural initiatives.