Sustainable Forest Incentive Act

Payment amounts vary based on the length of your covenant and your total number of acres enrolled in SFIA. For land held in a conservation easement see the "note section" below. The payment rates are adjusted each year based on statewide average market values and tax rates, but will not increase or decrease by more than 10 percent per year. The 2020 payment rates are:

For new applications in 2020 and land that is in an easement, the payment is $3.62 per acre.

Note: If your land was enrolled in SFIA in 2017 and also has a conservation easement, the payment rate is $7.00 per acre and that land is limited to an 8-year covenant.

All payments received are treated as taxable income.

Qualifying properties must:

• Be current on property taxes
• Have 20 or more contiguous acres
• Be at least 50% forest land as defined in Minnesota Statute 88.01, subdivision 7
• Have a registered forest management plan in place
• Have an agreement (“covenant”) in place limiting the property’s use to forest management activities

Qualifying properties cannot be:

• Classified as 2c Managed Forest Land by the assessor or enrolled in:
  • Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM)
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
  • Green Acres
  • Agricultural Preserves
  • Rural Preserves
• Used for residential or agricultural purposes
• Improved with a structure, pavement, sewer, campsite, or road used for purposes that are not in the forest management plan
• Covered under a Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council easement or similar easement granted after May 30, 2013 

Select the links below to begin the application process. Once you complete the application process, submit your application along with all required documentation.  Applications must be received by October 31 to receive a payment in the following year.

• 2021 Application

• SFIA 8-Year Covenant
• SFIA 20-Year Covenant
• SFIA 50-Year Covenant

We will send you a Certification Letter by May 15 of each year you are enrolled in SFIA. To receive a payment, you must:

• Initial and sign the letter to certify you are following the requirements and still eligible for SFIA.

• Report changes to the parcel information of your enrolled land.

• Return the completed letter by July 1 to get a payment by October 1 of that year.

• Withdrawal Application
• The Sustainable Forest Incentive Act
• SFIA Frequently Asked Questions