These grants encourage business planning and modernization activities and other improvements on Minnesota dairy farms. They can also help pay for stray voltage testing.
Overview
Grants cover 50% of the cost to hire a qualified, independent third party to create a business plan for a dairy operation or test for stray voltage. Dairy producers have used these grants to evaluate the feasibility of expanding a dairy, plan environmental upgrades, and create strategies to transfer the operation to a family member or other new owner.
Who is eligible?
Existing and beginning Minnesota dairy farmers
How much is available?
The grant pays 50% of the cost to develop a business plan, up to $5,000. You must pay the other 50%.
Ineligible costs:
Services that are not directly related to the improvement and continuance of the dairy farm, such as:
- Nutrition consulting
- Retirement and investment planning
- Tax planning and tax return preparation
- Intergenerational transfer planning that discontinues the dairy enterprise
- Loan origination or documentation fees
- Chattel real estate appraisal
- Crop consulting
- Nutrient management planning – except as required in the business plan
- Veterinary/herd health consulting
- The cost to complete a dairy business planning grant application
How to apply:
- Contact the grant administrator to find out if your project is eligible.
- Complete and submit the Dairy Business Planning Grant Application (PDF) or apply online.
- The application asks for the following information:
- Farm summary
- Goal of business plan
- Professional services you will be using to develop business plan.
- Budget of project
- An MDA review committee will look over your project and decide if it should be funded.
Deadlines
Applications are funded on a first come, first served basis.
