Here are some common questions about the AGRI Prepare Grant.
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 "Prepare Grant" in the subject line. We will post all questions and answers on this page.
- I lease a portion of my land to another farmer. Can we both apply?
- Yes, if the other farmer is a different entity with separate management and cash flow.
- Are nonprofits eligible to apply for the Prepare Grant?
- Nonprofits are eligible if they are registered with the Minnesota Attorney General; Minnesota Secretary of State; and either certified with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a corporate farm and exempt from the corporate farm law. The organization must also produce and sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually.
- I am a non-profit that leases land to farmers. Can my organization apply or only the farmers that lease my land?
- Yes, if your organization meets the eligibility criteria (see above), you could apply but would be limited to $10,000 for your organization. The farmers that lease the land would also be eligible if they have separate management and cash flow.
- I have organized my farm business as an LLC. The application reads that I must be authorized to farm to accept the award as my farm business. How do I become authorized to farm?
- Being authorized to farm refers to the corporate farm law which requires entities, such as pension or investment funds, corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, or irrevocable trusts, be certified by the MDA to engage in farming or have an interest in agricultural land. This requirement comes from the farming by business organizations statute (MINN. STAT. 500.24). Please review the information about Minnesota’s Corporate Farm Report. Under the Forms and Resources section there are PDFs for each entity type. Once you fill out an application, mail the application to the MDA with the filing fee. Contact Lisa Towry, Lisa.Towry@state.mn.us, with questions on the corporate farm report.
- My farming business is not registered with the Secretary of State yet. Can I apply?
- Yes, you can apply as an individual.
- Multiple farmers utilize our organization’s land. Can our organization apply for our farmers?
- Yes, if your organization is authorized to farm, you could apply but would be limited to $10,000 for your organization.
- I do not raise livestock, but my business works with livestock and livestock producers (e.g., veterinary clinic, feed production, animal rescue, etc.) Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production.
- I do not currently have livestock or specialty crops. Am I eligible to apply?
- No, the grant is available to farmers that produce and sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually at the time they apply.
- I produce corn and soybeans. Can I apply for this grant?
- No, the grant is open only to farmers that raise and sell livestock or specialty crops such as annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for examples.
- What kind of documentation do I need to submit to prove that I sell at least $1,000 of agricultural products annually?
- That part of the application is a self-attestation. The MDA reserves the right to verify the information provided.
- My farm business is registered in Minnesota, but the farm plot is in Wisconsin. Can I apply for something I intend to do at my farm in Wisconsin?
- No, the farm must be in Minnesota.
- Do specialty crops grown in greenhouses qualify?
- Yes, as long as the farm produces and sells at least $1,000 of specialty crop products annually.
- My son manages the farm, but I own it. Who should apply?
- The applicant must be the principal operator of a livestock or specialty crop operation. A principal operator is the person primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the farm. The principal operator could be an owner, hired manager, cash tenant, share tenant, or partner. Please note that the applicant must also be the one making the purchases related to the grant.
- Can two farmers apply for the same project?
- No, only one of the farmers may apply for the project. We will only approve one application per project.
- Is personal labor eligible?
- No.
- I want to hire a consultant. Is their time an eligible cost for this program?
- No, only supplies, equipment, and related installation costs are eligible costs.
- I want to apply for something not listed in the program examples. Is my project eligible?
- Yes, if your project will help make your operation more resilient to extreme weather. The items on the provided list are just examples.
- Are new wells eligible?
- Yes, new wells are eligible if they are related to adding resiliency against extreme weather on a livestock or specialty crop farm.
- Can I apply for improvements to farmland where I raise a specialty crop in rotation with corn and soybeans?
- Yes, as long as your project increases on farm weather resiliency for the specialty crop. Be sure to clearly explain on your application how the project benefits specialty crops on your farm.
- Is the electrical service eligible for the grant?
- The grant can be used for expense related to the purchase and install of equipment that will make operations more resilient to extreme weather. Therefore, setup of the electrical service would be an eligible expense.
- Is there a match requirement?
- There is a 50% match requirement. Sources of the matching funds may include cash, loans, other grants, and liquid capital assets dedicated to the project.
- Can I use grant funds from another Minnesota state agency as part of my matching funds?
- No. State grant funds cannot be used as matching funds, but non-forgivable loans from the state may be used as a match.
- Can I use in-kind services or a consultant's fees as match?
- No, only eligible items can be used as match.
- What if my project cost is greater than $20,000? Can I still apply?
- Yes, you may apply for a project that is greater than $20,000. You will be responsible for the cost exceeding the match of $10,000. For example, if your project is $25,000, you are eligible for $10,000 in grant funds. Your cost would be $15,000.
- Can I be reimbursed for in-kind labor?
- No, in-kind labor is not eligible.
- What are the odds that my application will be funded?
- The grants are competitively awarded so it depends on the number and quality of applications we receive.
- Any tips to getting my application funded?
- The applications will be scored based on the scoring criteria in the RFP. Maximize your points by clearly answering the application questions.
- Where can I get help with writing the grant application?
- University of Minnesota Extension and other agricultural groups have resources to help with grant writing. Some applicants have worked with teachers or small business development centers to help them complete their application.
- I raise both livestock and specialty crops and want to do projects related to both. Can I apply for two grants?
- No. You must combine both requests into your application, but the maximum award per operation is $10,000.
- I want to help multiple farmers apply. Do I need to create a username in the system for each farmer or can I apply for them using my account?
- You can either create an account for each farmer or apply for each farmer using your account. If you use your account, you must create a separate application for each farmer.
- I have a quote from a vendor for my project. Do I have to follow the bidding requirements outlined in the RFP?
- All funded applicants need to follow the state’s bidding requirements. We expect that most grantees will need to follow the Non-governmental/nonprofit organization guidelines. Note that if specific contractors are named in the application, you won't need to undergo a formal bidding process, which can save you time and effort later.
- Is there a specific format required for the Letters of Support?
- No, the format and information included is open to content that will support the applicant.
- If awarded, what do I need to do to receive the funds?
- First, you must accept the grant award. This includes submitting an IRS Form W9 to the grant manager and approving the budget for your project. Next, you will sign a grant contract agreement. After the grant contract agreement is fully signed by all parties, you can begin work on the project. Finally, you will need to provide detailed invoices and proof of payments to receive your grant reimbursement.
- I would like to be notified by phone the status of my application. Is this possible?
- Yes, please mention in your application that you would like to be contacted by phone.
- I applied for a different grant from the MDA. I am waiting to hear if I receive that grant. Can I apply for this grant?
- Yes, you can apply for this grant while waiting for the results of another MDA grant program. If awarded a different MDA grant you may withdraw your application to this program. You can only be awarded one grant per project.
