In Minnesota, over $14 million are available in grants each year through several state agencies including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota’s Board of Soil and Water Resources, Minnesota’s state NRCS offices, and local NGOs and research institutions like the Land Stewardship Project and Forever Green. 

Below are some of the funding opportunities available directly to Minnesota producers, offered through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). 

Livestock Investment Grant

Description: This grant program reimburses investments in buildings or facilities for the production of livestock or livestock products; development of pasture for use by livestock including, but not limited to, lanes, watering systems, and fences; and/or equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management. The grant will not pay for livestock, buying pasture/crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing. This program is designed to be paired with a larger investment and is awarded as a reimbursement of a fraction of total project costs. This program is facilitated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Type of funding: Grant

Type of application: Narrative

Program focus area: Farm infrastructure

Maximum award amount: $25,000

Average award amount: $20,000

Duration: 1 year

Deadline to apply: Winter

Application acceptance rate: 50% 

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.

Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant

Description: This grant supports projects that explore the profitability, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits of agricultural practices or systems from production through marketing. Funding is awarded to projects that focus on research, implementation and demonstration. For requests between $25,000 and $50,000, applicants must provide a dollar for dollar match on the amount above $25,000. This program is offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Type of funding: Grant

Type of application: Narrative

Program focus area: Conservation

Maximum award amount: $50,000

Average award amount: $20,000

Duration: 2 to 3 years

Deadline to apply: Fall

Application acceptance rate: 50%

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.

Value Added Grant

Description: The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added products. Offer two types of grants to producers: 1) feasibility studies (up to $25k) and 2) equipment purchases (up to $150k). You are required to show that you have 75 percent of the total grant project costs available to use as matching funds. This program is facilitated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Type of funding: Grant

Type of application: Narrative

Program focus area: Business/market development

Maximum award amount: $150,000

Average award amount: $37,000

Duration: 3 years

Deadline to apply: Fall

Application acceptance rate: 25%

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.