The AGRI Livestock Investment Grant encourages long-term industry development for Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers by helping them improve, update, and modernize their livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.
Reminder of fiscal year (FY) 2023 grant changes
We made two significant changes to the grant program in FY 2023.
- The Livestock Investment Grant statute was amended to eliminate the lifetime maximum of $50,000 that applied at individual and entity levels. Instead, the statute requires that the commissioner give preference to applicants who have not previously received a grant.
- All principal operators may apply for funds this round, regardless of whether they have received a grant in the past or not.
- Each farm may only submit one application.
- Only expenses incurred after the contract has been signed by all parties are eligible for reimbursement. We expect to have contracts to grantees by early 2024.
Applicant eligibility
Minnesota livestock farmers may apply. Applicants must:
- Be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota.
- Be a resident of the state of Minnesota or be a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota.
- Hold an appropriate feedlot registration when applicable.
- Be in good standing with the State of Minnesota:
- No back taxes owed.
- No defaults on Minnesota state-backed financing for the last seven years.
- Acceptable performance on past MDA grants.
- Be compliant with current state regulations, or the project will support the organization becoming compliant.
NOTE: For this program, we define "livestock" as beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed Cervidae (deer), Ratitae (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.
Project eligibility
This grant program reimburses investments in:
- Buildings or facilities for producing livestock or livestock products.
- Development of pasture for use by livestock, including but not limited to lanes, watering systems, and fences.
- Equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management.
The grant will not pay for livestock, tractors, skid steer loaders, general purpose buildings, buying pasture or crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.
All project materials and services must be purchased and paid for AFTER a grant contract agreement has been signed by all parties and has reached its start date. Any expenses incurred prior to that date aren't eligible for reimbursement.
Amount available
- We expect to award a total of $1.5 million in FY 2024.
- We reimburse 10% of the first $250,000 of an eligible investment.
- For each project, the maximum grant amount available per fiscal year is $25,000.
- An individual or farm may only receive one grant in FY 2024.
- Only one grant per project.
Applying
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
- Carefully read the full Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility and requirements.
- You can also view the list of past projects or request a copy of an application to help you prepare.
- We encourage you to apply online.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select “AGRI Livestock Investment Grant.”
Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.
