Here are some common questions about the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.
If you have questions that are not addressed here or in the Request for Proposals (RFP), email them to beginning.farmer.grant.mda@state.mn.us. We will post all questions and answers on this page.
How to apply
We expect another round of the grant will open in fall 2027.
To receive an email or text alert when the program opens for applications, sign up for the MDA grant alerts.
Use the MDA's online application system to apply for this grant. The How to Fill Out Your Online Application (PDF) guide goes step by step through the process.
- If you’re a new user, you must create an account first.
- Once you’re logged in, select “Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.”
- Contact us if you need this information in a different format.
No, there are no points or preference awarded for applying ahead of others. All applications submitted by the application deadline will get full consideration.
Who is eligible
A beginning farmer is defined as someone who:
- Started farming within the last 10 years, AND
- Is a principal operator on a farm (see below), AND
- Has some farming experience and knowledge.
A principal operator is the person primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the farm, limited liability corporation (LLC), or other nongovernmental organization. The principal operator could be an owner, hired manager, cash tenant, share tenant, or partner.
If you are in your first 10 years of farming and are a principal operator on a farm, you are eligible to apply for this program.
No. Only individual beginning farmers are eligible to apply for this grant.
You may own land, but it is not a requirement. You can also access land through other means, such as a rental agreement.
We will only accept one application per farm business and per person. If two beginning farmers share a household but operate different farm businesses, both could apply.
No. A person must be at least 18 years old in order to apply.
No. As part of the eligibility requirements for this grant, you must have at least $1,000 in farm product sales.
What can you purchase
Eligible expenses include:
- Agriculture-specific equipment needed to grow crops, raise livestock, or store related farm products. “Agriculture-specific” refers to equipment that is designed specifically for farm activities. Contact us if you want to check the eligibility of a certain type of equipment.
- Farm infrastructure investments, including improving water access; irrigation; fencing; electricity; walk-in coolers; livestock handling; grain storage; production-related structures like barns, livestock buildings, and greenhouses; and other farm infrastructures.
Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- General equipment and vehicles that are not specific to agricultural use, such as:
- Mowers
- Skid steers
- Semi-trucks
- Flatbed trailers
- Trucks, vans, or cars
- General purpose office supplies and equipment such as a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
- Improvements to residential infrastructure located on a farm.
- Processing and packaging equipment or infrastructure.
See the RFP for more information about eligible and ineligible expenses.
Ask yourself, “Could this equipment easily be used off the farm for non-farm related tasks?” If you answer “yes,” it’s probably not agriculture-specific.
Grant payments
No. This grant is reimbursement based. If you receive an award contract through the grant, you can buy items and services approved in your contract and we will pay you back after you provide us with the needed documentation about the purchase.
For this grant, you cannot buy the item(s) in your grant proposal before you have a signed contract with the MDA. Only items that are purchased after a grant is offered and a grant contract is signed will be eligible for reimbursement.
Yes, if awarded this grant, it is okay to complete your project in parts and request partial reimbursements over the life of a grant contract.
