The Farmer Climate Action Fund is administered by the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) with financial support from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. This initiative offers competitive small grants to support farmers in Greater Minnesota implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies on their farms.
The fund is designed to assist agricultural producers with shovel-ready projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, or improve climate resilience. Eligible project types may include incorporating renewable energy systems, improving water management through infrastructure such as high tunnels, adopting soil health practices to promote carbon sequestration, or transitioning to continuous living cover production systems. These projects must be capable of completion within the 2026 growing season, with a strict final deadline of December 31, 2026.
Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $8,000. Funding decisions are made through a competitive process, with priority given to proposals that are well-developed and ready for implementation. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to execute their proposed projects within the designated timeline.
Eligible applicants must be located within one of the five RSDP regions in Greater Minnesota. Farms based in the 11-county Twin Cities metro area — including Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright — are not eligible to apply.
The application deadline is January 2, 2026, and award notifications will be issued in early February 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to review their project readiness and ensure compliance with geographic eligibility before applying. For additional information or application support, applicants can contact Tobin Tyler via email at tyler264@umn.edu or by phone at 401-787-0124.
Priority is given to shovel-ready projects that can be completed by Dec 31, 2026. Ensure geographic eligibility is confirmed.
