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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including Cooperative Weed Management Areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state.

Since 2018, the MDA Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant has awarded over $1.5 million to fund a variety of activities, such as implementing weed management outreach, purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach activities, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds. One hundred sixty-five projects have been awarded, averaging $9,000 per award.

Awareness of noxious weeds has increased in communities that have received this funding in the past. Infestations of species such as wild parsnip and poison hemlock have been reduced in areas where municipalities have focused on treatments for several years. Organizations that have received funding from this grant are improving weed management practices, including identifying weeds earlier, and improving treatment timing.

Applications for this new round of invasive plant grants can be reviewed and downloaded on the MDA website. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on October 23, 2024. Questions can be directed to Emilie Justen, MDA Noxious Weed Law Coordinator, at Emilie.Justen@state.mn.us.

Funding for this grant originates from the 2023 Laws of Minnesota, Chapter 43, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 2 (d). Funding will be allocated through a competitive process with review by the MDA Noxious Weed Program and the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. Selected grantees will be announced in early 2025.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us

Applications are now being accepted for two grant opportunities currently available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) aimed at helping value-added businesses and livestock product processors seeking to start up, modernize, or expand their operations and increase ag product sales.

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant and Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing (MPEM) Grant programs provide funding for businesses to invest in equipment and physical improvement projects that support expanding production capacity, market diversification, and market access for their products.

Applicants must:

• Intend to or currently be engaged in the processing of Minnesota agricultural products; or intend to or currently be engaged with livestock slaughter or processing, including meat, poultry, egg, and/or milk.
• Be an individual (including farmers), business, agricultural cooperative, nonprofit, educational institution, or a local unit of government (including tribal governments).
• Currently be located or reside in Minnesota and be authorized to conduct business in Minnesota.

The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $2.5 million between the two programs in fiscal year 2025 using a competitive review process. The maximum award amount for both grants is $150,000, and the minimum is $1,000. Grantees are responsible for a cash match of 50% for the first $50,000 of the total project cost, and 75% for the total remaining cost.

Priority projects for this round of funding include those that will increase food safety; increase hemp fiber processing capacity; increase access to kosher or halal markets; and focus on meat or poultry processing capacity, especially slaughtering.

Grant applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, through the MDA’s online application system. Funding for both programs will be awarded in one round, with decisions expected in December 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit the AGRI Value-Added Grant and Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant webpages.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us