During the plan review process, it is the responsibility of the applicant
The application period for this program is closed.
To help Minnesota farmers and ranchers protect livestock from disease and other risks, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new grant opportunity to help eligible producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will help prevent disease outbreaks and protect animals not currently covered by existing depredation programs.
The Protecting Livestock Grant Program, also referred to as the Protect Grant, offers one-time competitive grants of up to $10,000 and requires a 50% match. While all types of livestock operations are eligible to apply, priority consideration will be given to those who produce:
- Cervids (farmed elk and deer): Due to new fencing requirements passed during the 2023 legislative session.
- Poultry and ratites (ostrich, emu): Due to the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since 2022, the most recent outbreak has affected at least 150 poultry operations and more than 6 million birds in Minnesota.
“With risks like chronic wasting disease and HPAI continuing to threaten Minnesota livestock, it’s important for farmers and ranchers to take proactive efforts to protect their animals,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “I encourage all livestock producers to apply for these grant funds to fortify their operations.”
For the purpose of this program, “livestock” includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), llamas, and honeybees.
Eligible projects include fencing, electronic animal ID systems, air filtration, exclusion systems, Danish entry systems, truck washes, and other strategies to prevent and mitigate disease and other risks.
A total of $500,000 is available, and the MDA expects to award 50-75 grants. Applications are currently being accepted through March 7, 2024. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, about whether their proposal was funded.
The Protecting Livestock Grant Program is funded through the Agricultural Growth and Research Initiative (AGRI) Program, which provides grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
Full grant details and the request for proposals (RFP) can be found on the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion made its return to Las Vegas for the 2024 Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show, which took place January 21 through 23. Four local food and beverage businesses exhibited as part of the agency’s space, bringing a taste of Minnesota to Nevada.
The MDA’s Minnesota Pavilion program supports Minnesota food and beverage companies in attending national trade shows, offering discounted booth space as well as promotional and logistical support surrounding show attendance. The program aims to encourage food manufacturing in Minnesota, increase the use of local agricultural ingredients, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.
The following brands participated in the Minnesota Pavilion at 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show:
- Janet’s Finest Compotes: Berry and jalapeno compotes with a sweet and spicy kick.
- Maazah Chutney: Flavor-packed Middle Eastern sauces.
- Mixly Cocktail Co.: Premium mocktail and cocktail mixers.
- Plucky Pickle Dip: Tangy and crunchy snackable dips.
“The Fancy Food Show is a great hub for networking and discovering new trends. We went looking to connect with our major retail partners as well as new regional retailers,” says Yasameen Sajady, co-founder and CEO of Maazah. “This year’s show was phenomenal! Great retailers, media, and service providers."
“It is so exciting to see these Minnesota companies putting their best foot forward at the Winter Fancy Food Show to make an impression with nation-wide retailers and distributors in the specialty food category,” said Jennifer Alexander, the MDA’s food business development administrator. “Attending trade shows like this provides unique opportunities for new connections and partnerships, which is not only a big win for the companies but for Minnesota as well."
The Winter Fancy Food Show, organized by the Specialty Food Association, is “where specialty food makers go to exhibit their newest and best products and where buyers go to find their next bestsellers.” With thousands of specialty food artisans, entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers, purveyors, and importers under one roof, the show offers three days of sampling, networking, and education designed to help grow specialty food businesses.
Minnesota Pavilion is offered as part of Make it Minnesota, the MDA’s food and beverage business development program. Visit the Make it Minnesota web page for more details about available business support programs as well as future Pavilion opportunities.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Crow Wing County for the first time. There are now 48 counties in the state, including Crow Wing, with EAB.
A suspected EAB infestation was discovered near Brainerd in Crow Wing County. EAB larvae was later found, and samples were collected by MDA staff. Federal identification confirmed the samples as emerald ash borer.
EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.
Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Crow Wing County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of the county. The quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.
The MDA issues quarantines for all areas known to have EAB to reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.
A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals in Crow Wing County will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 10–11 a.m. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.
Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
February 8, 2024
10–11 a.m.
Register at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab
The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Crow Wing County’s emergency quarantine to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantine now through March 11, 2024, and recommends adopting the quarantine on March 13, 2024. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.
Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:
Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Kimberly.TCremers@state.mn.us
There is more EAB information on the MDA website.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for a new grant program to help strengthen Minnesota’s food supply chain.
The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program offers competitive grants for Minnesota businesses and organizations operating middle-of-the-food-supply-chain activities that support local agricultural products. Up to $9.6 million in funding is available as part of a cooperative agreement awarded to the MDA by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
Grants will fund projects that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transportation, wholesaling, or distribution of locally and regionally produced food intended for human consumption, including specialty crops, dairy, grains, aquaculture, and other food products (except meat and poultry, as they are funded through other programs). Awards will be between $100,000 and $3 million, and a 50% match of the total project cost is required.
“The RFSI program will allow us to enhance Minnesota’s food supply chain infrastructure and increase market opportunities for producers; bolster support for our food businesses; and expand consumer access to fresh, local foods,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We thank USDA for their partnership, and we look forward to working with grant recipients to build resilient local and regional food systems that benefit all Minnesotans.”
Examples of eligible projects include — but are not limited to — building a new cold storage facility, updating or expanding an existing processing facility, purchasing and installing new equipment, making facility upgrades that enhance worker safety, and improving capacity to comply with food safety regulations. The grant program will prioritize projects that involve dairy, annual and perennial grains, fruits and vegetables, dry beans, or aquaculture as well as projects submitted by farmer- and worker-owned enterprises and cooperatives.
A variety of entities operating in the middle of the supply chain are eligible to apply, including:
- Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors (including cooperatives or associations)
- Small for-profit businesses
- Nonprofit organizations
- Local and tribal government entities
- Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals
Additional consideration and a reduced 25% match requirement will be given to eligible applicants who are historically underserved farmers and ranchers; small and underserved business owners; and other businesses that qualify under the U.S. Small Business Administration categories of small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, and veteran-owned small business.
Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on April 3, 2024, to be considered for funding. Visit the MDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant web page for full program and application details, as well as information on technical assistance available for developing grant proposals.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
March Food Safety and Defense Task Force Meeting
The Governor's Food Safety and Defense Task Force has continuously met since 1990 to discuss issues affecting Minnesota's food system. The Task Force is composed of seventeen members, ten of whom are appointed by the Governor's office, representing food regulatory agencies, agricultural industries, food related non-profit associations, and the University of Minnesota. Meetings of the Task Force are held every other month and are open to anyone interested.
Task force meetings are held in conformance with Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.015, upcoming meetings of the FSDTF have been scheduled and will be offered in-person with video-conference phone-in options.
The next meeting will be on January 16, 2024, at the Orville L. Freeman Building in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Attend the March 12 meeting using Microsoft Teams
Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling: +1-651-395-7448
Phone Conference ID: 164 452 9#
Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.
