AgBMP Loan Program

The Agricultural Best Management Program (AgBMP) provides low interest financing to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses.  The AgBMP Loan Program is used to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots and farm fields and other pollution problems identified by the Stearns County Local Water Managment Plan. 

There is a maximum of $50,000 in low interest loans per project and per individual. Origination fees vary by the financial institution.

ELIGIBLE Practices for Low Interest Loans

• Animal Waste Storage Facilities (manure pits)
• Conservation Tillage Equipment (capable of leaving a minimum of 30% residue)
• Manure Application Equipment (capable of immediate incorporation), including poultry manure spreaders
• Septic Systems - to replace a failing system
• Installation of Runoff Controls to prevent fertilizers and/or chemicals from polluting surface and ground waters
• Installation of Vegetative Buffers along lakes, rivers, ditches, and wetlands

INELIGIBLE Practices for Low Interest Loans

• No Vehicles
• No Tractors (unless there is a direct water quality benefit)
• No Ag Waste projects for farms > 1,000 Animal Units
• No Ag Waste projects for farms with a NPDES Permit
• No new construction
• No building components not related to water quality (lights, side walls, driveways)
• No cost related to expansion
• No wells (unless for rotational grazing practices, sealings - if enhances water quality)

For more information contact: