Minnesota Field to Forest Cost Share

Reimburses private landowners for large-scale tree planting or direct seeding on historically forested open land, plus a $500-per-acre incentive payment once planting is done. Funding is limited and applications are first-come, first-served through a DNR stewardship forester.

• 3 acres minimum

• Trees must be planted or seeded on historically forested open land capable of supporting trees

• Each project must include a minimum of three tree species

• Landowners must plant trees the following year of signing up

• Not for residential landscaping, planting in existing forests or converting grasslands to forests (news release)

Up to 75% reimbursement of site prep, seedling purchase and planting, and bud capping, plus $500/acre incentive; paid after a DNR forester inspects the completed planting.

Published amounts: Approved projects are eligible for up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for tree planting or direct seeding expenses and will also receive an incentive payment of $500 per acre planted.

Contact a DNR stewardship forester before starting your project to allow time for planning and approval; the forester writes a project plan and signs you up. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Deadline text on the page: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the second round of its Field to Forest Cost Share Program through Dec. 1. (news release 2026-06-11). Cost-share page: If you signed up after December 1, 2026, trees must be planted in the spring of 2027