How to Get Paid to Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers in Minnesota

It seems like more and more people are making decisions to help pollinators in Minnesota. It's awesome! Even if you don't have much, if any, yard space, you can still have a little pot of native flowers to help the pollinators out.

However, getting native plants that pollinators will like can add up pretty quickly, especially if you're hoping to do a garden that's a bit bigger.

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If you're someone who wants to create a native plant garden, there's actually a program through the State of Minnesota that will help you pay for those pollinator-friendly plants and some of the set-up too.

Get Paid to Plant Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants

The program is done through an organization called Blue Thumb and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. They've been doing this program called Lawns to Legumes since 2019.

Since it began in 2019, the program has helped fund "more than 8,000 residential habitat projects across all 87 Minnesota counties". That's amazing!

But before we get into more details about this program, why should you plant for pollinators? Minnesota is home to more than 500 native bee species plus many other pollinators like butterflies and beetles.

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All of those pollinators "play a key role in pollinating many food crops and native plants, but populations have significantly declined worldwide in recent years."

"Population decline can be attributed to habitat loss and lack of related nutrition for pollinators, as well as pesticide use and pathogens."

So that's where we come in. We can help these pollinators by planting native and pollinator-friendly plants. Even if you can only do a little pot or raised bed, that still makes a difference.

If you'd like to get some money for your pollinator project, that's where Lawns to Legumes can help!

Apply for the Lawns to Legumes Minnesota Program

All you have to do is fill out this year's application to be considered for some of this money, which is given through reimbursement up to $400. That means that you won't get a bunch of money upfront, they will reimburse you as you send in receipts of your purchases for the garden. You also have to supply regular updates.

The application is very easy and the deadline is May 15th, 2025. If you're selected to get some of the money, you'll be notified by mid-June 2025.

Once you're notified, you can get to work! But keep in mind, that you can only be reimbursed for items purchased after you're notified that you were approved.

If you have a home or are renting a home you are eligible for this money (if you're renting you just need permission from your landlord).

Priority is given to people who are in an area where there are at-risk pollinators, people who live in certain areas where not as many pollinator gardens are located, and people who are lower income, minority, and/or are in tribal communities.

Many more specifics can be found via Blue Thumb if you're interested in this program!