February 2, 2024
Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal communities seeking to promote urban youth agricultural education and urban agricultural community development are encouraged to apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Urban Agriculture Grant.
Total funding available for this round of Urban Agriculture Grants is $1.87 million, an increase from $551,000 in 2023. To be eligible, applicants must be located in or serve cities with a population over 5,000 or be located within the boundaries of a federally recognized tribal land and serve tribal community members, regardless of population size.
“The MDA is thrilled to be able to expand the Urban Agriculture Grant program and increase support for organizations, schools, and communities finding innovative ways to build connections to ag within Minnesota’s cities,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “Cultivating youth and community interest in agriculture and our food systems helps ensure the continued strength of Minnesota ag in all areas of the state.”
Grant funds can cover costs for personnel (staff and contractors), supplies, equipment (including the cost of construction and installation), transportation, or translation that are directly related to eligible projects. Applicants may request a maximum of $100,000 per project, and up to 100% of the total project cost may be covered by the grant. A cash match is not required.
Funding priorities for this year’s Urban Agriculture Grants include projects that demonstrate a commitment to positive environmental impacts, promote economic justice, and benefit underserved communities. Examples of eligible projects and costs can be found in the grant’s request for proposals (RFP).
Applications must be submitted prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Visit the grant web page to access the RFP as well as details of previously funded projects.
Funding for the Urban Agriculture Grant is made available through the AGRI Program, which administers 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.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
AGRI Protecting Livestock Grant webinar
Starts:
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 8:00 am
Ends:
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 9:00 am
MDA is a:
Presenter
Details:
Join this informational webinar to learn about the one-time AGRI Protecting Livestock Grant. Submit your questions when you register for the webinar so we can try to answer them all during the presentation.
This program is a funding opportunity for Minnesota farmers and ranchers who raise livestock. Grant funds are intended to help producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will prevent livestock disease outbreaks and protect animals not covered by existing depredation programs.
Precedence is given to proposals that address priority species (farmed cervids, poultry, and ratites) on a first-come, first-served basis until the application period closes on March 7, 2024. After that, reviewers will consider remaining applications.
For the purposes of this grant, livestock include beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), llamas, and honeybees.
Funding for the Protect Grant comes from the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program which supports the advancement of Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries. AGRI has made significant economic impacts by increasing productivity, improving efficiency, and assisting the development of agricultural products.
February 9, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened applications for grant funding to help increase the competitiveness of Minnesota-grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects focused on marketing and promotion, research and development, expanding availability and access, and addressing challenges confronting producers of specialty crops. The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $1.25 million in this round of grants using a competitive review process, with a maximum award of $125,000 and a minimum award of $20,000.
Nonprofits, producer organizations, government agencies, tribal organizations, universities, and other organizations involved in Minnesota agriculture are encouraged to apply for grant funding. Individual producers, for-profit businesses, and commercial entities are also eligible to apply as long as projects provide a sector-wide impact.
Grant funding for the SCBGP is provided annually by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Block Grant under the legislative authority of the Farm Bill. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, floriculture, and processed products that have 50% or more specialty crop content by weight, exclusive of added water.
Applications for 2024 SCBGP funds must be submitted by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Full program details and application materials, as well as information on previously funded projects, can be found on the MDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program web page.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
