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 enterprises in Minnesota. The funds will be allocated by the commissioner of employment and economic development, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, to organizations focused on early-stage commercial development of specific cropping systems, such as regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry. Importantly, the bill stipulates that a grantee cannot receive 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 provide a report to the legislative committees overseeing economic development and agriculture. This report will detail the utilization of the grant funds, including the amount spent on administrative costs. The appropriation is designated as a one-time funding initiative aimed at enhancing the agricultural landscape in Minnesota through innovative cropping practices.