Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants

The Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to support Minnesota livestock producers in reducing conflicts with wolves. Established in 2017 and funded by the Minnesota Legislature, this grant program was appropriated $90,000 during the 2023 legislative session, with $45,000 allocated for each of the state fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The grant aims to prevent livestock losses through non-lethal means by offering financial support for conflict prevention strategies in designated wolf-affected areas. This grant supports projects that implement practical, preventive methods such as the purchase and veterinary care of guard animals, installation of wolf-deterring fencing, lights and alarms, and construction of animal shelters for calving, lambing, or poultry. Only livestock producers operating within the Minnesota wolf range or on properties determined by the commissioner to be affected by wolf-livestock conflicts are eligible. The MDA explicitly outlines ineligible uses of funds, including ATVs, salaries unrelated to construction, and out-of-state travel. Recipients must also adhere to a 20% cost share requirement, provide documentation of total project costs, and comply with reporting, auditing, and site visit requirements. Applications must be submitted via email or postmarked by 5:00 PM CST on January 3, 2025. The grant application was posted on October 4, 2024, and all questions must be submitted by December 27, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified in March 2025, with project work beginning in April 2025. All grant-supported work must be completed by October 31, 2025. Applications are competitively reviewed by a committee including representatives from MDA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, USDA, and producer organizations. The final selection is made by the Commissioner of Agriculture, with priority given to producers experiencing recent livestock depredation. Applicants must complete a standard application including project details, itemized costs, and supporting documentation. The evaluation criteria consider past wolf-related losses, application completeness, cost-efficiency, and the feasibility of proposed tactics. Trade secrets may be protected, but must be identified and justified per Minn. Stat. § 13.37. All data becomes public upon conclusion of the review process unless otherwise protected by law. The grant is managed by NiCole Rawski in the MDA’s Plant Protection Division, who can be reached at NiCole.Rawski@state.mn.us or 651-201-6095. Additional program details, including updates and FAQs, are posted on the MDA's official website. This program operates on a recurring annual basis, with similar timelines expected for future cycles.

Submit early; provide documentation of wolf conflict and cost-effective plans; avoid ineligible expenses.