Garden Grants

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

If I am awarded a Rochester Garden Grant, I hereby agree to:

1. Read and understand all the information provided in the grant documents.
2. Construct a garden according to the plans submitted in the grant application and approved as a grant award.
3. Avoid planting within utility and drainage easements; unless special permission received through this program.
4. Call Gopher State One-Call (1-800-252-1166) before I start digging.
5. Track expenditures during garden construction.
6. Register my garden immediately after construction by submitting the registration form. 
7. Submit before, during, and after project photos (preferably digital to stormwater@rochestermn.gov).
8. Allow site inspections for the life span of the project.
9. Place a Rochester Garden Grant education sign in my garden as soon as it is completed (sign is provided).
10. Allow the site to be published on the Rochester Garden Grant location map and allow public viewing.
11. Host a garden party or similar educational initiative prior to submitting the reimbursement request.
12. Submit reimbursement requests by December 31 of the year the grant is awarded, providing all receipts for materials and/or services.
13. Maintain the garden at least 5 years or as long as a resident of the property and submit notice if unable to continue due to moving or other reasons. 
14. Agree that all submittals and methods or techniques developed as part of the grant award shall become the property of the City for use at its discretion, including but not limited to print and website publications, tour maps, and any or all program publicity.

Further, I understand that the City of Rochester will not authorize payment of the reimbursement request unless full documentation is received and until all construction tasks are complete.

Except if arising from or out of the City of Rochester’s fault or negligence, I agree to indemnify and defend the City of Rochester, and will hold harmless the City of Rochester, and assigns from any claims, expenses, or damages including attorney’s fees, arising from my participation in this agreement.

The City of Rochester is offering grants for residents and land managers to establish pollinator habitat and water stewardship gardens. A limited number of grants for $1000 or less will be available each year.

A garden that is funded by this grant must be used to:

• Create pollinator habitat and increase the amount of stormwater soaking into the ground.
• Create awareness of the benefits of native gardens designed for pollinators and clean water.
• Encourage others to create gardens for pollinators and clean water using best practices.

Who May Apply

• Residents, including homeowners and renters
• Community Organizations
• Schools

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria are the minimum eligibility standards and must be met for the application to be considered:

1.  The proposed project is within Rochester’s city limits on a parcel owned by an eligible applicant or with the expressed consent of their landlord, as presented with the application.
2. The proposed budget is both reasonable and provides a minimum match of at least 25% of the
   requested and/or received funding.
3. Matches must consist of materials, services, or cash clearly documented for project use.
4. The garden must be installed in the growing season of the award notification.
5. The applicant commits to maintaining the garden for at least five years in a signed agreement with the City.
6. The applicant commits to using the addition of new native perennial plants.
7. The applicant agrees that their garden will be available for public viewing as an educational site.
8. The applicant accommodates site visits and posts a grant-provided garden sign.
9. The applicant agrees that the garden’s location is available on the city’s website.
10. The applicant submits a completed application postmarked on or before December 31st of the application year.

Note: Projects where pollinator habitat and stormwater best management practices (BMP) are required as a condition of development or to satisfy other regulatory requirements cannot be funded by this grant.

Applications and Project Awards

Applications consist of completed application documents and a signed agreement form. A signed agreement does not guarantee a grant award. Applications are accepted from October 1 through December 31 for gardens to be installed during the following year's growing season. Applications must be postmarked or delivered to the Public Works office on or before December 31 and will be reviewed and ranked according to the criteria listed here. Please be sure to provide all the information requested and write legibly. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

Grants will be awarded to the highest-ranked projects. The number of awards given is dependent upon available funding. Recipients of Rochester Garden Grants will be notified by the end of January. If selected, you’ll receive a grant award letter. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep copies of all submitted documents. Do not start construction of your project or purchase any materials until receipt of a Grant Award Letter from the City.

Ranking Criteria

The following criteria will be utilized by the grant committee to evaluate the applications:

1. Proximity to protected or impaired waters and pollinator habitat corridors
2. Proximity to existing Rochester Garden Grant program gardens and distribution throughout the City
3. Visibility and effectiveness for garden education
4. Creativity of design and application of appropriate design basics
5. Diversity of plant species and percentage of native plants and their cultivars are used
6. Cost per square foot
7. Length of time expected to stay at the residence or use grounds as a school or community organization
8. Presence or absence of other stormwater treatment best management practices serving the location
9. Amount of stormwater runoff from impervious surface area captured by the garden
10. Other unique features as presented by the applicant

Applicants Must Agree to:

1. Maintain the project for a minimum period of five (5) years. 
2. Place a city-provided educational sign in your garden.
3. Provide educational outreach about the garden for your friends, family, or neighbors.
4. Serve as a community resource to promote gardens for pollinators and clean water.
5. Register your garden to be included in the City of Rochester’s Environmental Services website.
6. Allow public viewing of your garden as requested.
7. Agree to publicity by the City or by local media outlets. All publications, publicity, and methods or techniques developed as part of the project shall become the property of the City for use at its discretion.

Eligible Expenses

1. Native perennial plants, seeds, or native cultivars, including trees and shrubs.
2. Shredded wood mulch
3. Soil amendments that increase infiltration capacity
4. Materials to divert stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces to the garden
5. Equipment rental costs up to $200

Reimbursement

FUNDING IS A REIMBURSEMENT for documented costs occurring AFTER the notification of grant award. After all program requirements have been met and approved, including a site visit to verify project completion and success, a request for reimbursement may be made. All reimbursement requests for projects completed within a fiscal year must be submitted no later than December 31 of that year. Reimbursement requests are typically processed within 30 days of receipt. Costs incurred before the project was approved will not be reimbursed.

The reimbursement request must include:

• Receipts for materials and services purchased
• An itemized list of donated materials and their value needs to be provided
• Completed City of Rochester Garden Grants Expense Reporting Worksheet 

If you have questions, contact Rachel at 507-328-2440 or rstrauss@rochestermn.gov.