The AGRI Works Grant Program helps entities and organizations that provide regional and statewide development, education, research, and marketing services that promote agriculture, horticulture, and rural communities.
Applicant eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Units of government
- Most colleges and universities
Individuals and organizations incorporated as for-profit entities (including for-profit colleges and universities) are not eligible.
We will prioritize proposals from legislatively created entities and organizations.
Project eligibility
Projects must provide regional or statewide services. Project examples include but are not limited to:
- Performing research on topics relevant to rural communities across the state.
- Conducting outreach or providing education to farmers or horticultural growers.
We will give priority to projects not eligible for other grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Amounts available
We have $485,625 available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
You may request between $5,000 and $75,000 per project. You must match every grant dollar with one dollar of your own non-state funding.
Applying
Apply by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
- Carefully read the full AGRI Works Request for Proposals FY 2026 updated (PDF) for eligibility and requirements.
- Apply for the AGRI Works Grant using our online system.
- If you’re a new user, you need to create an account first.
- Once you’re logged in, select “AGRI Works Grant FY 2026.”
- Complete the required questions and submit.
Submit questions in writing before Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
- Email MDA.AGRIGRANTS@state.mn.us with “AGRI Works” in the subject line.
- MDA employees are not authorized to give advice on any applications. Applicants who solicit or receive advice from unauthorized MDA employees may be disqualified from eligibility for a grant award.
Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.
Questions and answers
If you have questions that are not addressed here or in the request for proposals (RFP), email them to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "AGRI Works" in the subject line. We will post all questions and answers on this page.
- Are grant dollars from a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) allowable to be included in the match funding?
- No. SCBG awarded through the State of Minnesota may not be used as match since the MDA awards these grants.
- No. SCBG awarded through the State of Minnesota may not be used as match since the MDA awards these grants.
- Reading this sentence “Applicants may request up to 15% of salaries, wages, and applicable fringe benefits of W-2 employees to support indirect costs” are you referring to 15% of the Grant total? As an example, if we receive $75,000 from the grant, can we allocate $11,250 or are you looking at this in a different way?
- You may request up to 15% of the salaries, wages, and applicable fringe benefits for indirect costs. For example, if you request a $75,000 grant, and $50,000 of that request is for salaries, wages, and applicable fringe, you could include $7,500 (15% of $50,000) for indirect costs. Your total grant request may not exceed $75,000.
- You may request up to 15% of the salaries, wages, and applicable fringe benefits for indirect costs. For example, if you request a $75,000 grant, and $50,000 of that request is for salaries, wages, and applicable fringe, you could include $7,500 (15% of $50,000) for indirect costs. Your total grant request may not exceed $75,000.
- The grant allows for 15% indirect costs. Is that over and above the $75,000 request limit, or should it be included as part of the limit? Instead of asking for 15% in indirect costs, can we cite that amount as part of the match requirement?
- Grant awards are limited to $75,000, including both direct and indirect costs. You may count the 15% indirect costs towards your match; please make this clear in your application. If selected for a grant award, we will work with you to incorporate this into your approved budget and grant contract agreement.
- Grant awards are limited to $75,000, including both direct and indirect costs. You may count the 15% indirect costs towards your match; please make this clear in your application. If selected for a grant award, we will work with you to incorporate this into your approved budget and grant contract agreement.
- Would we be allowed to separate overhead/administration time and the time of employees who are building and executing the projects and programs. Much of our cost of programs has been the expertise of our team. We would like to be able to allocate the cost of the individuals working on these projects.
- Personnel costs for time staff spend working on an approved project is considered a direct cost and may be charged to the grant. Overhead costs (i.e., costs associated with running an organization but not directly associated with the project) are included in the 15% indirect cost rate and may not be charged as a direct cost.
- Personnel costs for time staff spend working on an approved project is considered a direct cost and may be charged to the grant. Overhead costs (i.e., costs associated with running an organization but not directly associated with the project) are included in the 15% indirect cost rate and may not be charged as a direct cost.
- Can funds also be used to pay 1099 contractors, or is support limited strictly to W-2 staff?
- Grant funds can be used to pay 1099 contractors; however, you may not request indirect costs on payments to contractors.
- Grant funds can be used to pay 1099 contractors; however, you may not request indirect costs on payments to contractors.
- Do organizations need to provide the certification regarding board members and key staff not being convicted of final financial crimes with the application or is this submitted afterwards?
- You will indicate in the application that board members/key staff have not been convicted. If you are selected for the second phase of the review process, we will ask you to sign an additional certification.
- You will indicate in the application that board members/key staff have not been convicted. If you are selected for the second phase of the review process, we will ask you to sign an additional certification.
- We were not created by the Minnesota legislature, but we have routinely received a legislatively named pass-through grant from the State of Minnesota. Are we able to get full or partial points in that Priority Area: Legislatively Created Entities criteria?
- Since your organization was not created by the Minnesota legislature, you would not receive the priority points.
- Since your organization was not created by the Minnesota legislature, you would not receive the priority points.
- We are a nonprofit organization, but we use another organization (also a nonprofit) as a fiscal agent. Is this allowable?
- Yes, this is allowable. Please clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of each organization in the application. We will work with you to determine which entity to award the grant contract agreement to if selected. We may also need to adjust the pre-award risk assessment requirements.
- Yes, this is allowable. Please clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of each organization in the application. We will work with you to determine which entity to award the grant contract agreement to if selected. We may also need to adjust the pre-award risk assessment requirements.
- We are group of individuals, not an independent nonprofit, that are working together on a project that meets the goals of the grant. Does the applicant organization need to be an independent 501(c) entity, or can a project operate under a fiscal sponsor?
- The applicant must be a nonprofit organization. The project leaders would need to establish a relationship with a nonprofit organization to act as the applicant and fiscal sponsor, and the grant contract agreement would be with the nonprofit organization.
- The applicant must be a nonprofit organization. The project leaders would need to establish a relationship with a nonprofit organization to act as the applicant and fiscal sponsor, and the grant contract agreement would be with the nonprofit organization.
- We are a non-profit organization. While our educational experiences are available to all, and we partner with a farm cooperative to utilize our farmland for crop research to share with farmers, a majority of our mission is to share the story and value of MN agriculture with non-farmers. Are we eligible to apply even if a majority of our projects are geared toward educating the general public?
- You are eligible to apply as a nonprofit if you can demonstrate that your projects support regional or statewide development of Minnesota agriculture, horticulture, and rural communities through activities such as education, research, and marketing service. In your application, you should demonstrate how your organization meets these requirements and how your proposed activities advance these goals.
- You are eligible to apply as a nonprofit if you can demonstrate that your projects support regional or statewide development of Minnesota agriculture, horticulture, and rural communities through activities such as education, research, and marketing service. In your application, you should demonstrate how your organization meets these requirements and how your proposed activities advance these goals.
- Are AGRI Works funds eligible to support the establishment of local incentive programs or other economic development initiatives?
- Yes, as long as all costs are eligible and allocable to the project. You should clearly explain in your application how the project promotes agriculture, horticulture, or rural communities through regional or statewide development, education, research, or marketing services.
- Yes, as long as all costs are eligible and allocable to the project. You should clearly explain in your application how the project promotes agriculture, horticulture, or rural communities through regional or statewide development, education, research, or marketing services.
- The Ineligible Expenses section lists “advertising and public relations” as an ineligible expense. The Project Evaluation Profile includes reference to “marketing efforts and tracking of sales” in the Work plan and Timeline criteria. Will you explain what is allowable?
- There is an error in the Project Evaluation Profile. The phrase “Work plan includes marketing efforts and tracking of sales” was accidentally carried over from another Request for Proposals. The Ineligible Expenses section is correct and grant reviewers will disregard the Project Evaluation Profile language regarding “marketing efforts and tracking of sales” when scoring proposals.
- There is an error in the Project Evaluation Profile. The phrase “Work plan includes marketing efforts and tracking of sales” was accidentally carried over from another Request for Proposals. The Ineligible Expenses section is correct and grant reviewers will disregard the Project Evaluation Profile language regarding “marketing efforts and tracking of sales” when scoring proposals.
- We previously received a legislatively named pass-through grant that was administered by the MDA. How should we answer the question about previous grants from the MDA?
- You should include this grant in your list of previous MDA grants.
- You should include this grant in your list of previous MDA grants.
- Are cooperatives eligible for AGRI Works grants?
- Cooperatives can be organized as either for-profit or non-profit entities. Most cooperatives are organized as for-profit entities. However, if the applicant cooperative is a non-profit and meets the other eligibility criteria, they would be eligible to apply.
- Cooperatives can be organized as either for-profit or non-profit entities. Most cooperatives are organized as for-profit entities. However, if the applicant cooperative is a non-profit and meets the other eligibility criteria, they would be eligible to apply.
- The scoring criteria includes a 20-point priority for organizations that are not eligible for other MDA grants. Is our organization eligible for other MDA grants?
- The 20-point prioritization in the scoring criteria applies to each project, not the organization. For example, if an applicant is applying for funds to perform applied crop research, this project would likely not receive the 20 points because that project would be eligible for the AGRI Crop Research Grant or the Specialty Crop Block Grant. The same organization, however, could be proposing a project that is not eligible for other grants and therefore would receive the priority points.
- The 20-point prioritization in the scoring criteria applies to each project, not the organization. For example, if an applicant is applying for funds to perform applied crop research, this project would likely not receive the 20 points because that project would be eligible for the AGRI Crop Research Grant or the Specialty Crop Block Grant. The same organization, however, could be proposing a project that is not eligible for other grants and therefore would receive the priority points.
- Can we provide aggregate salary/wages instead of salary/wages of each individual? We have concerns about this being personal information.
- We highly recommend that you complete the table as requested so reviewers can adequately assess your budget. If you do not know who will perform the work (e.g., if the person is not already on your staff), you may include just the title and a note that says they will be hired later. These documents will also be classified as public data.
- Keep in mind that the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, applies to all data provided to the State under this RFP and any resulting grant contract agreements. Information you include in your proposal will become public data at various points in the review process. In addition, if you are awarded a grant contract agreement, you will be expected to fully document all actual costs, including providing signed timesheets and payroll records.
- Can you clarify the differences between marketing costs (which are eligible expenses) and advertising costs (which are ineligible expenses)? If we hold educational events, we need to get the word out about them; would this be marketing? If we promote our rural communities to be a good place start a new business, would this be marketing?
- For the purposes of this RFP, we view marketing costs as those activities necessary to create awareness of the services being provided by the proposed project. In other words, spending a reasonable amount of the award to get the word out regarding the educational event(s) that are part of the project would be fine. If the proposed project is based on spending funds to advertise a product, area, or organization, we would deem that to be ineligible. Remember that the key element of project eligibility is providing regional or statewide services.
- For the purposes of this RFP, we view marketing costs as those activities necessary to create awareness of the services being provided by the proposed project. In other words, spending a reasonable amount of the award to get the word out regarding the educational event(s) that are part of the project would be fine. If the proposed project is based on spending funds to advertise a product, area, or organization, we would deem that to be ineligible. Remember that the key element of project eligibility is providing regional or statewide services.
- How should we account for/calculate volunteer hours as we work on the project budget? Can volunteer hours count toward our match?
- In-kind match is not allowable under the AGRI Works program; match must be provided as cash. Because volunteer hours are not paid, they cannot be counted towards the matching requirement.
- In-kind match is not allowable under the AGRI Works program; match must be provided as cash. Because volunteer hours are not paid, they cannot be counted towards the matching requirement.
- For our nonprofit to provide a safe and accessible space for our visitors to learn about and experience agriculture on our campus, we have a few maintenance items. Would any of these be eligible as a direct or indirect cost?
1. Repairing cracks in our parking lot and our paved walking path;
2. Filling cracks in the sidewalk to the visitor center;
3. All-terrain vehicle for emergencies to transport injured guests across campus to first aid station in the visitor center;
4. 2-way radios for our volunteers and staff to communicate emergencies during our large educational events- Based on our understanding of your project, items 1 and 2 would be considered indirect and items 3 and 4 would be direct costs. Direct costs must be specifically and easily identified with your particular project and proposed activities. Maintenance costs may be considered direct or indirect depending on the nature of the costs and if they are directly tied to your project’s scope. General maintenance costs that are required to maintain your organization/facility’s normal operations are typically indirect costs.
- Based on our understanding of your project, items 1 and 2 would be considered indirect and items 3 and 4 would be direct costs. Direct costs must be specifically and easily identified with your particular project and proposed activities. Maintenance costs may be considered direct or indirect depending on the nature of the costs and if they are directly tied to your project’s scope. General maintenance costs that are required to maintain your organization/facility’s normal operations are typically indirect costs.
- Are salaries and fringe benefits paid on non-state funds allowable as matching funds?
- Yes. Salary and fringe paid for with non-state funds can be used as match. You will still need report these expenses and provide cost documentation to us, in the same way that you will need to report the salary and fringe personnel expenses that are paid for by your AGRI Works funds.
- Yes. Salary and fringe paid for with non-state funds can be used as match. You will still need report these expenses and provide cost documentation to us, in the same way that you will need to report the salary and fringe personnel expenses that are paid for by your AGRI Works funds.
- Is the matching ratio 1:1?
- Yes. The grant requires that you match every grant dollar received with one dollar of your own non-state funding.
- Yes. The grant requires that you match every grant dollar received with one dollar of your own non-state funding.
- Are we allowed to use 15% indirect cost matching funds on salaries (provided they are allowable) that are being used as matching funds?
- Yes, you may calculate indirect costs on the portion of the project paid for by both grant funds and match funds. You will only receive payment for the 15% of the indirect costs calculated on the portion of salaries paid for by grant funds, and you may claim the portion of the indirect calculated on the portion of the salaries paid for with your matching funds as a match to the project.
- For example, if your organization has $20,000 in eligible personnel costs, the grant will cover $10,000 of those costs and you will provide $10,000 as match. If you choose to claim the 15% indirect cost rate, you will be paid for $1,500 in indirect costs (15% of your grant funds spent on personnel) and may claim $1,500 in indirect costs (15% of your match funds spent on personnel) as part of your matching contribution.
