Livestock Investment Grant |
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson today announced that $1 million in grant funding is being made available to livestock producers in the state for on-farm improvements. The Livestock Investment Grant Program was first funded by the Minnesota legislature in 2008. Since then, 89 grant recipients have invested an estimated $31 million in improvements to their operations.
Frederickson says the new round of grants will allow eligible livestock producers to support their industry and help them stay competitive.
“The Livestock Investment Grant Program helps encourage long-term development in Minnesota’s $7 billion livestock sector,” said Frederickson. “These grants have enabled livestock farmers to pay for new buildings or make renovations. In some cases, the recipients used the grants for modernizations and improvements that would help expedite the farm transition process to their sons or daughters.”
Qualifying producers would be reimbursed ten percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment. Producers who suffered a loss due to a natural disaster or unintended consequence may also apply. The grant will not pay for livestock or land purchases or for the cost of debt refinancing.
Minnesota livestock producers who applied for but did not receive a grant in past years will need to reapply to be considered for the 2012 program.
The deadline to apply for the grant program is January 14, 2013.
MDA Contacts
Curt Zimmerman, Supervisor, Livestock Development Team
Curt.Zimmerman@state.mn.us ~ 651-201-6456
Ag Marketing & Development Division
David Weinand, Dairy Diagnostics, Livestock Development Team
David.Weinand@state.mn.us ~ 651-201-6646
Ag Marketing & Development Division
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