Minnesota Invests in Markets for Continuous Living Cover Crops

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to eight projects under the Developing Markets for Continuous Living Cover Grant program. The funding will help build early-stage enterprises and value chains needed to bring continuous living cover crops and cropping systems to commercial scale. Continuous living cover refers to agricultural systems that maintain living plants and roots in soil year-round. These systems include winter cover crops sown between summer annuals, agroforestry practices, perennial forage crops, perennial biomass crops, and perennial grain production. Many of the funded projects focus on seed cleaning, Kernza® perennial grain, and growing and utilizing hazelnuts. Continuous living cover crops help improve water and soil quality, sequester carbon, build soil health, and enhance biodiversity and pollinator habitat.