Minnesota Paid Public to Gather Red Pine Cones

The state has initiated a collection program to mitigate an eight-year shortage of red pine seedlings.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Botany

Isometric editorial illustration of a bushel basket of red pine cones next to small pine saplings in a nursery. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering $95 per bushel for red pine cones to address an eight-year shortage of reforestation seedlings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should state agencies rely on public collection programs to meet forestry and reforestation goals?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun paying the public $95 per bushel for red pine cones to address a persistent seedling deficit. This initiative seeks to secure seeds for state forest reforestation projects following nearly a decade of poor crop yields.

Why it matters

The program aims to stabilize the supply of reforestation stock after poor yields over the last eight to 10 years hindered forest renewal. Collecting these seeds is essential for the state to maintain its annual target of planting 1 million red pine seedlings.

The state aims to acquire at least 1,000 bushels of red pine cones to support 2,000 acres of annual reforestation. This effort addresses a sustained supply gap that has persisted for eight to 10 years.

The players

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The state agency responsible for managing natural resources and executing forest reforestation projects.

The details

Collectors must gather clean, ripe, and closed cones and register as a supplier with the state to participate. Once collected, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources processes the material to extract seeds, which are then sown in nursery beds at the State Forest Nursery in Akeley to grow viable seedlings.

Collection of red pine cones begins in September 2026.
The official collection period ends in October 2026.

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This effort is a critical input for the production pipeline at the State Forest Nursery in Akeley. It follows a decade of low yields that hampered the state’s ability to meet its 1-million-seedling annual requirement.

Residents in areas such as Bemidji and Park Rapids who register as official suppliers can sell harvestable red pine cones to the state for $95 per bushel. Participants must ensure all collected cones meet the quality standards of being clean, ripe, and fully closed.

The takeaway

This bumper crop marks the first significant opportunity to replenish state seedling stocks in over a decade. Prospective suppliers should monitor collection volume updates from the department through October 2026.