ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is making grants available for innovations in sustainable farming.

The Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program has $250,000 that it plans to award next year for on-farm sustainable agriculture research or demonstration projects. That’s an increase of $150,000 from last year.

The grant program is designed to promote environmental stewardship and conservation, while striving to improve profitability and quality of life on farms and in rural areas. Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson said the grants help farmers test out their ideas for ways to improve their livestock operations and cropping systems. He said they’ve helped turn new ideas into viable production practices.

The grants are for up to $25,000. The deadline to apply is Jan. 29.