The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is now accepting applications for its Invasive Species Mitigation Weed Control Grant for the 2026–27 funding cycle.
The competitive grant program supports on-the-ground projects aimed at preventing, controlling and reducing invasive plant species that threaten Utah’s farms, ranches, ecosystems and working lands.
State officials say invasive weeds don’t just crowd out native plants — they can also affect soil stability, wildlife habitat and water resources. When invasive species take hold, they can alter how water moves across a landscape, increase erosion and degrade riparian areas that help filter and store water.
“Our landscapes, agriculture, and natural heritage are only as strong as our ability to control invasive species before they become entrenched,” UDAF Commissioner Kelly Pehrson said in a statement announcing the grant cycle.
Since the program began, more than 7.7 million acres of federal, private and state land have been treated or protected through the grant, according to the department. Projects have ranged from early detection and rapid response to large-scale weed treatments and long-term restoration efforts.
Funding can be used for a range of activities, including early response to new infestations, containment of high-priority species, monitoring and prevention work, rehabilitation of affected lands and research related to invasive species mitigation.
Eligible applicants include universities, county weed boards, conservation districts, cooperative weed management areas, tribal entities, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and private landowners. Projects are typically funded for one year, though multi-year support may be available depending on funding levels.
The department says the goal is to help local communities lead the charge in protecting working lands, wildlife habitat and critical watersheds before invasive plants become more costly and difficult to manage.
Applications are open through March 20, 2026. Interested applicants can review guidelines and submit materials through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food website. More information, including program impact data and featured projects, is available on the department’s Invasive Species Mitigation Grant page.
