The Rochester Garden Grants program launched in 2020 is a refresh of the "Realize Rain Gardens Rochester" cost-share grant program. Goals of the original program remain with the addition of encouraging pollinator plantings and removing barriers associated with cost-share programs.

The Realize Rain Gardens Rochester cost-share grant program (2009 - 2019) was co-developed by a task force of interested citizens, landscape professionals, and City Public Works staff. The program was designed to promote the installation of rain gardens that can be used to demonstrate how rain gardens slow, treat, and infiltrate stormwater, while adding beauty to neighborhoods and creating habitat for song birds and butterflies.

Lawns to Legumes is a planting for pollinators grant program that Blue Thumb facilitates with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Any Minnesotan can apply to receive reimbursement for native planting projects and support at-risk pollinators like the monarch butterfly and rusty patched bumble bee. Each spring and fall, a new cohort of participants gets selected to take part in the program.

Review the Rochester Garden Grant Criteria document for detailed information on the grant award and its requirements. If you believe your project aligns with the criteria, please email Rachel to arrange a site visit. Once a site visit has been completed and the project is confirmed to meet the eligibility criteria, we will provide you with the application materials.