MDA awarded $11.16M to advance irrigation efficiency across Minnesota

According to reporting by American Ag Network, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and partners have secured $11.16 million through USDA NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program to expand conservation practices on irrigated cropland statewide. The five-year initiative builds on $3.5 million awarded in 2021 and will scale precision irrigation technologies, improve nitrogen management, and protect groundwater quality and quantity across 25 counties. 

Administered with 26 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the project will offer financial and technical assistance to producers using irrigation, with enrollment expected to open in late 2025. In addition to on-farm cost-share, the effort invests in training and peer learning for SWCD, NRCS and industry staff, and will host field days and demonstrations to showcase practices and tools that reduce water use while maintaining yields. Partners include NRCS, local SWCDs, Central Lakes College Ag and Energy Center, AgCentric – Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, state agencies and industry groups. 

The coalition aims to accelerate adoption of precision scheduling, optimized irrigation water management and improved nitrogen timing/rates on existing irrigated acres—prioritizing outcomes that bolster water quality, resilience and farm profitability. Producers in participating counties (including, among others, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Dakota, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright) can connect with their local SWCD for next steps once sign-up opens. For program background, visit the USDA NRCS RCPP website.