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74 grants awarded to Mower residents since 2023; May 15 next deadline

With dozens already funded in the past two years, Mower County residents have another opportunity to get approved for state funding to start a “pocket prairie” at their home.

Applications will be accepted through May 15 for the state’s Lawns to Legumes program, with grant recipients getting notified in mid-June. If you previously applied and did not receive a Lawns to Legumes award, you need to reapply to be considered for fall 2025 funding.

Anyone who lives in Minnesota and has an outdoor space for planting is eligible to apply for a fall 2025 Lawns to Legumes grant.

To apply for Lawns to Legumes, visit Blue Thumb’s website – bluethumb.org – or go directly to: buff.ly/3AII7hC

Since 2023, at least 74 residents in Mower County have been approved for grants to create an area of pollinator-friendly, native plants through the Lawns to Legumes program led by the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources. Overall, the state has received more than 245 applications from Mower County residents for the program.

Lawns to Legumes aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing reimbursement-based funding, workshops, coaching and gardening resources. People who live in Minnesota (homeowners and renters) and have a yard, deck or other outdoor space for planting can apply for reimbursement of up to $400 in costs associated with establishing a new pollinator habitat.

Supported by the state’s general fund, Lawns to Legumes is administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in partnership with Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water.

“Even small plantings in yards or boulevards make a difference for Minnesota’s pollinators,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “Lawns to Legumes gives Minnesotans a unique opportunity to take a hands-on approach to conservation.”

More than 8,000 residential habitat projects across all 87 Minnesota counties have been completed since the program launched in 2019. Lawns to Legumes also shares online resources, such as gardening templates, habitat guides and advice about selecting native plants for all Minnesotans interested in creating pollinator habitat in their yards.