The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Minnesota’s 2026 Developing Markets for Continuous Living Cover Crops grant is no longer accepting applications. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) set a July 8, 2026, 4 p.m. Central Time deadline. The program offered Minnesota organizations competitive awards of $50,000 to $100,000 for projects building markets and supply chains for continuous living cover crops; MDA has not confirmed award results on the official pages cited below.
What the Minnesota grant funded
The MDA grant supported Minnesota organizations working to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cropping systems in early commercial development. The aim was to strengthen markets in ways that can support further farmer adoption—not to provide an individual grower with a direct farm-input subsidy. Examples included processing infrastructure for food, feed, fiber, or bio-based products; commercialization and market development; and coordination among farmers, processors, and buyers. MDA’s 2026 program page describes the opportunity and its terms.
What counts as continuous living cover?
MDA uses CLC for agricultural systems that keep living plants and roots in the soil throughout the year. Its examples include winter annual cover crops grown between summer annuals, agroforestry and silvopasture, perennial forage and biomass crops, perennial grains, and integrated systems such as poultry silvopasture. The program page also identifies winter-annual cereal grains and oilseeds with market value as harvested or grazed commodities.
Examples named by MDA include Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, elderberry, perennial flax, and regenerative poultry silvopasture. A proposed project needed to focus on a CLC crop or cropping system, but crop fit alone would not explain whether a market-development project was competitive.
#1 Best Overall
- 13 different varieties of THE most popular cover crops in the community in 1 bag = balanced bio-diversity
- Inoculated with Rhizobium; Encourages Beneficial Mycorrhizal Fungi populations to thrive, which literally help deliver nutrients to the roots of the plants
- Bio-diverse array of cover crop varieties attracts wide variety of beneficial organisms & predators which contribute to soil fertility and humus quality
- Perfect for Raised Beds and/or No-Till Container Gardening
- Nitro-Coated, All-Natural Non-GMO Seed Mix, From USA only
Who was eligible to apply?
The announcement said applicants had to be organizations located in Minnesota and propose work focused on CLC crops or cropping systems. Examples of organization types included companies, cooperatives, governments, Tribes, urban American Indian communities, partnerships, and other civil or political associations. MDA awarded grants competitively.
The announcement is an eligibility summary, not a substitute for the full 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP). It does not establish every application detail, scoring criterion, state good-standing condition, or contract requirement. Those details should be checked in the MDA program materials and RFP.
Rank #2
![No-Till Cover Crop 13-Seed Mix (1 lb. Bag): [50% Clovers Plus Fenugreek, Vetch, Flax, Cowpeas, Buckwheat, Forage Peas, Millet, Lentils, Crimson Clover, Sweet Yellow, White Clover, Medium Red Clover]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61tz3UL4ZfL._SL160_.jpg)
- 13 different varieties of THE most popular cover crops in the community in 1 bag = balanced bio-diversity
- Inoculated with Rhizobium; Encourages Beneficial Mycorrhizal Fungi populations to thrive, which literally help deliver nutrients to the roots of the plants
- Bio-diverse array of cover crop varieties attracts wide variety of beneficial organisms & predators which contribute to soil fertility and humus quality
- Perfect for Raised Beds and/or No-Till Container Gardening
- High-Quality, Nitro-Coated, All-Natural Non-GMO Seed Mix, From USA only
How much funding was available?
MDA listed individual grant awards of $50,000 to $100,000 and reported receiving $450,000 through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for the grants. These figures describe the 2026 program round; they do not establish how many grants were awarded or the amount ultimately distributed.
2026 application timeline and current status
| Milestone | 2026 date or status |
|---|---|
| RFP posted | May 28, 2026 |
| Questions due | June 24, 2026, by 4 p.m. Central Time |
| Applications due | July 8, 2026, by 4 p.m. Central Time |
| Notification window | MDA projected August/September 2026; official pages cited here do not confirm final selections. |
| Expected project start | October 2026, after all parties signed the contract |
| Expected contract end | December 2027 |
As of October 8, 2026, both the question and application deadlines had passed. The projected notification period had also elapsed or was closing, but the MDA pages cited here did not establish which applicants were selected. Do not assume the round is open or name grantees without an official update.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- 1 JUG (5 LBS.) = 3,000–3,750 SQ FT - Comes in a handy resealable container
- IMPROVES SOIL HEALTH & FERTILITY: Helps fix nitrogen, add organic matter, and improve soil structure for better growing conditions season after season
- FAST GROWING COVER FOR SPRING & FALL: Establishes quickly to protect bare soil, suppress weeds, and improve soil between planting seasons
- NATURAL NITROGEN FIXATION: Winter peas and hairy vetch work together to naturally add nitrogen back into the soil, reducing fertilizer needs
- WEED SUPPRESSION & SOIL PROTECTION: Dense growth shades out weeds and helps reduce erosion while keeping your soil covered
How to assess a similar opportunity
For a future round, an organization can use the program description to screen a project’s fit before reviewing the RFP. This is a practical fit check, not MDA’s scoring rubric:
- Crop or system: Does the work focus on a crop or cropping system that fits MDA’s CLC definition?
- Market impact: Does the project develop demand, processing capacity, commercialization, or coordination across farmers, processors, and buyers?
- Applicant: Is the applicant an organization located in Minnesota?
- Timing: Can the work be completed within the contract period specified in the applicable RFP?
For the 2026 round, the listed contract period was expected to end in December 2027. Any future application would need to follow the dates, eligible costs, requirements, and evaluation criteria in its own RFP rather than relying on the 2026 schedule.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 13 different varieties of THE most popular cover crops in the community in 1 bag = balanced bio-diversity
- Inoculated with Rhizobium; Encourages Mycorrhizal Fungi populations to explode, which literally help deliver nutrients to the roots of the plants
- Bio-diverse array of cover crop varieties attracts wide variety of beneficial organisms & predators which contribute to soil fertility and humus quality
- Perfect for Raised Beds and/or No-Till Container Gardening
- High-Quality, Nitro-Coated, All-Natural Non-GMO Seed Mix, From USA only
Rank #4
- 🌱 Diverse 9-Seed Cover Crop Mix – Non-GMO & Heirloom – Includes Austrian Field Pea, Hard Red Winter Wheat, Triticale, Daikon Radish, Hairy Vetch, Crimson Clover, Berseem Clover, Yellow Mustard, and Collard Greens. A powerhouse blend for soil enrichment and weed suppression.
- 💧 Boosts Soil Health & Fertility – This mix naturally fixes nitrogen, prevents erosion, improves tilth, and aerates soil. Deep-rooted radish breaks up compacted soil, while legumes restore essential nutrients for healthier crops.
- 🌾 Versatile & Fast-Growing Cover Crop – Matures in 30-70 days, ideal for spring and fall planting. Works for no-till gardening, raised beds, container gardening, and large-scale farm applications. Some varieties may overwinter in mild climates.
- 🛠️ Easy to Plant & Maintain – Simply broadcast seeds over prepared soil, lightly rake in, and water. Seeding rate: 2-4 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. Let it grow, then till, cut, or mulch it back into the soil to maximize its benefits.
- 🏡 Grown & Packaged in the USA – From Mountain Valley Seed Company, trusted since 1974 for high-quality heirloom seeds. Pre-inoculated for optimal germination, eliminating the need for additional inoculants.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
