Sherburne Conservation District (SWCD) can connect you with cost share, grant, and loan programs that protect land and water in Sherburne County. Contact SWCD staff  to schedule a free site visit at your property and to learn which of these programs is right for you.

state cost share

The SWCD manages the State Cost Share Program, which provides technical, design, construction, and financial assistance to landowners within Sherburne County.  The program is intended for projects that solve erosion and water quality problems.  The program can reimburse anywhere between 40-65% of the total project cost depending on location and project type.

reinvest in minnesota (rim) reserve program

The Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program strives to protect and improve water quality by encouraging landowners to retire environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production. The program reimburses landowners for enrolling their land in a permanent conservation easement, and then provides assistance to restore the area to grass, trees, or wetlands. Eligible Lands:

• Sensitive Groundwater
• Riparian Lands
• Wetland Restoration Areas
• Marginal Agricultural Cropland
• Other Environmentally Sensitive Lands
  

survey and engineering assistance

Survey and Engineering Assistance Funds are available for surveying and engineering assistance to design conservation projects. This fund is called the Non-Point Engineering and Assistance Program (NPEAP). NPEAP can be used with other grant and cost-share funds to help pay for much of the overall project costs.

natural resources conservation serice federal programs

The Natural Resources Conservation Service offers additional cost-share programs to protect water quality, improve wildlife habitat, and conserve soil resources. Contact the SWCD staff or the local NRCS office for more information on these programs.

• EQIP   The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length.

• CSP  The Conservation Stewardship Program helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns.  Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance - the higher the performance, the higher the payment.

• ACEP The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.

• TSP  Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities.
  

annual grant programs

Annually, funds become available for special projects. These grants come from a variety of sources, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service and require more complex applications and coordination.

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) - Environmental and Conservation Partnerships, Shoreland Habitat Restoration, Cooperative
• Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) - Local Water Management Challenge Grants
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) - 319 and Clean Water Partnership Grants
• National Park Service (NPS) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
  

AGBMP LOAN PROGRAM

Provides low interest financing to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses to encourage agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots and farm fields and other pollution problems. Provides loans for projects that reduce existing water quality problems caused by agricultural activities or failing septic systems. For more information on AgBMP Loan Progam, click here.

Eligible activities include:

• Feedlot improvements
• Improved manure handling, spreading and incorporation equipment
• Terraces, waterways, streambank protection, sedimentation basins, wind breaks
• Conservation tillage equipment
• Repair of individual sewage treatment systems
• Sealing abandoned wells

Lawns to Legumes Program

The Lawns to Legumes program offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns .  This competitively-funded program is intended to enhance pollinator habitat in key corridors, raise awareness for residential pollinator protection, and showcase best practices.  Funding is provided through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) and will be targeted in priority areas to benefit the Rusty patched bumblebee and other at-risk species.
 
For more resources visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources website
 
For more information on the Rusty Patched Bumblebee
 
If you are not located within the demonstration neighborhood there is still opportunity to be involved in the Lawns to Legumes program! Visit Individual Support Program.

Quick Links

• SWCD Fee Structure
• Cost Share Policy
• Cost Share Process
• Well Sealing Program

Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District
Sherburneswcd.org     763-220-3434     425 Jackson Ave. NW     Elk River, MN 55330
Open Monday - Friday  8:00 - 4:00, by appointment       Closed on Federal Holidays