Minnesota State Wire

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has revealed the recipients of its 2025 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. A total of $150,000 has been distributed among thirteen projects. The funds will be utilized by cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and Tribal Nations for various activities including purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach efforts, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds.

Each recipient received up to $15,000 to be used within a year. Since 2017, the MDA has allocated over $1.7 million to local municipalities and tribal nations for projects targeting noxious weeds across Minnesota. These grants are crucial for enabling local communities to undertake essential work on noxious weed and invasive species management that might otherwise remain unaddressed.

Projects funded include Anoka Conservation District's "Anoka County Noxious Weed Management" with an award of $15,000; Becker Soil and Water Conservation District's project receiving $9,000; Burnhamville Township in Todd County awarded $1,045 for parsnip weed management; City of Columbia Heights in Anoka County receiving $4,000 for community-based invasive plant management; Hubbard County's "Brown Knapweed 2025" project with an award of $11,783; Norman Soil and Water Conservation District granted $15,000; Prairie Island Indian Community receiving $11,000; Scott Soil and Water Conservation District awarded $15,000 for "Scott CWMA FY2025"; St. Louis County's project against knotweed and parsnip with a grant of $15,000; Todd County preventing Palmer amaranth spread with a grant of $15,000; Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District receiving $10,500 for financial assistance in 2025; Washington Conservation District granted $15,000 for emerging invasive species management in Washington County 2025; Wright County also received a grant of $15,000 for roadway mapping and treatments.

These initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to promote healthier environments at the local level through effective management of noxious weeds.