New grant assists beginning farmers with equipment and infrastructure costs

A message from MN Department of Agriculture (MDA)

Applications for a new grant to help beginning Minnesota farmers purchase equipment and infrastructure through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will open later this month.

Farmers will be able to apply for up to $20,000 to reimburse costs associated with purchasing farm equipment or paying for farm infrastructure development, such as investments in water access, irrigation, fencing, electricity, walk-in coolers, livestock buildings, greenhouses and other similar structures.

Applicants may request funding at two levels:

• Up to $5,000 for a mini-grant
• Up to $20,000 for a full grant

Visit the MDA website for more information, including downloading the RFP and registering to join one of the following online public information sessions:

• Tuesday, October 1 at noon
• Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Language interpretation will be available at these sessions for Spanish, Hmong and Somali.

The MDA expects to award a total of $800,000 funded for this purpose by the Minnesota Legislature, using a competitive review process. At least half the funding is intended for mini-grant recipients and the remainder will go to full grant recipients.

Grantees will need to pay for their expenses up front and then request reimbursement with proof of payment.

Applicants must be:

• A beginning farmer
• A Minnesota resident
• Farming within the borders of the state of Minnesota
• In good standing with the state of Minnesota

Priority will be given to applicants who grossed less than $100,000 from farm product sales in the most recent tax year, and demonstrate limited access to land for their farm business, as defined in statute.

Apply beginning September 24 using our online application system. The application period will close at 11:59 p.m. on November 21.