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) 2027.

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 Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Submit questions in writing before Thursday, October 22, 2026.

  • 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.