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The council must review applications and select projects to receive agricultural fertilizer research and education program grants, as authorized in section  18C.71. The council must establish a program to provide grants to research, education, and technology transfer projects related to agricultural fertilizer, soil amendments, and plant amendments.

The council may recommend to the governor and legislature a checkoff fee to provide funding for grants under section 18C.71.

The Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) traces it origins to the Agricultural Nutrient Task Force. This group of farm leaders, legislators, researchers, and industry representatives recognized the need for additional fertilizer research and associated education. They recommended that the legislature establish a 12-member council.

The Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) officially began Jan. 1, 2008 (with a sunset date of Jan. 1, 2017). The council was originally established without a permanent funding mechanism however a one-time general fund allocation was provided to get the process started.

In 2009, the Minnesota Legislature established the funding mechanism for the current program by raising the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) fertilizer tonnage fee from 30 cents per ton sold to 70 cents per ton sold starting July 1, 2009. Each year, MDA announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects using funds generated from fertilizer sales.

Legislative reports were submitted starting February 1, 2009 and recurring every two years. In 2015, First Special Session, Chap. 4, Art. 2, Sec. 10, language requiring the commissioner of agriculture to submit a report including the progress and outcome of funded projects as well as the sentiment of the council concerning the need for additional research funded through an industry checkoff fee was removed.

In 2017 Minn. Laws Chap. 88, Art. 2, Sec. 21, the Council's expiration date was amended to be June 20, 2020.

As of 2024, the council is composed of 15 voting members as follows:

(1) one member of the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers;

(2) one member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association;

(3) one member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association;

(4) one member of the sugar beet growers industry;

(5) one member of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers;

(6) one member of the potato growers industry;

(7) one member of the Minnesota Farm Bureau;

(8) one member of the Minnesota Farmers Union;

(9) one member from the Minnesota Irrigators Association;

(10) one member of the Minnesota Grain and Feed Association; and

(11) one member of the Minnesota Independent Crop Consultant Association or the Minnesota certified crop advisor program;

(12) one member representing the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture;

(13) one member of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition;

(14) one member who is an expert in public health; and

(15) one member who is an expert in water quality and has performed scientific research on water issues.