The Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant Program, also referred to as the Prepare Grant, helps Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will help make their operations more resilient to extreme weather, including:
- Drought
- Flooding
- Hail
- Severe weather events like storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds
Approximately $500,000 is available for this program. We expect to award 50 to 75 grants.
- You may request between $500 and $10,000 per farming operation for projects costing between $1,000 and $20,000; a 50% cash match is required.
- An individual or farm may only receive one grant in fiscal year (FY) 2026.
If you’re seeking funding to improve biosecurity and reduce the risk of avian influenza on your farm, please visit the AGRI Protect Grant webpage.
Eligibility
Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers may apply. Only one application per operation will be accepted. For the purposes of this grant,
- Livestock includes animals raised for the production of fiber, meat, and animal by-products for sale or as breeding stock, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), bison, sheep, horses, aquaculture, and llamas. Other species of livestock may be eligible.
- Specialty crops include annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants grown for sale. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for examples.
Project examples:
For livestock operations
- Water tanks and pads
- Pipelines
- Water wagons/trailers
- Wells (new improvements, fixes, replacement pumps)
- Irrigation equipment
- Livestock pond digging or dredging
- Portable pasture fencing supplies (e.g. polywire, electric netting, t-posts and/or step-in posts, reels, solar chargers, etc.)
- Fans
- Misters
- Livestock shade systems
- Windbreaks
- Lane improvements
For specialty crop operations
- Water tanks
- Pipeline
- Water wagons/trailers
- Wells (new improvements, fixes, replacement pumps)
- Irrigation equipment (including drip irrigation)
- Hoses
- Soil moisture sensors
- Nozzles
- Rain barrels
- Mulch
- Cover crops
- Worker safety equipment (sun shades, water stations, etc.)
- Hail netting
Payments are issued on a reimbursement basis. All eligible purchases must be made after the grant contract agreement has been fully signed and reached its start date. Grant contracts are expected to start in May 2026.
Applying
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
- Carefully read the full 2026 AGRI Prepare Grant Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility, requirements, and priorities.
- Apply online.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select “Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant (FY26).”
If you can't apply online, contact us for other options.
Review process
A review committee evaluates all eligible applications based on the Application Scoring Sheet in the RFP. The commissioner of agriculture considers the committee’s recommendations and makes award decisions. The process may consider geographic distribution, type of operation, applicant’s history as a previous grantee, and capacity to perform the work.
