As stated on page 3 of the Train and Retain RFP, projects must be conducted in Minnesota to be eligible. Participating meat and poultry processors must be located in Minnesota and licensed by the state of Minnesota.
Yes, employees could attend out-of-state courses. The tuition expenses would be eligible. However, partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is prioritized in the application process.
If the processor is producing edible meat and poultry products, they would be eligible to receive funds from the applicant organization. This means the processor must be subject to Minnesota “Equal to” or USDA inspection, hold a custom exempt permit, or be considered retail exempt.
Meat processing employees who are hired June 15, 2025, and after would be eligible to receive funds from the applicant organization, unless the grant contract is executed earlier.
The applicant organization/grantee would be subject to the pre-award financial risk assessment (if the grant award is $50,000 or greater). The grantee’s books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices of the grantee or other party that are relevant to the grant or transaction are subject to examination by the MDA, the Department of Administration, and either the legislative auditor or state auditor, as appropriate (MINN. STAT. 16B.98, subd. 8).
As stated on page 3 of the Train and Retain RFP, projects must be conducted in Minnesota to be eligible. Participating meat and poultry processors must be located in Minnesota and licensed by the state of Minnesota.
Administrative costs are costs incurred by the partner organization (grant applicant) so it can perform work on the grant. For example, part of the grant coordinator’s salary or office space rental could be considered administrative costs. Sign-on bonuses and housing relocation assistance for meat processor employees are not administrative costs.
Partner organizations must agree to minimize administrative costs as a condition of the grant. The MDA expects that applicants request to use no more than 10% of the total award for administrative costs, but the MDA will consider reasonable costs more than this amount. All anticipated administrative costs must be justified in the proposal.
Childcare stipends are for new meat processor employees who may need financial assistance with childcare. Eligible expenses such as childcare stipends, employee relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, etc. are intended for new meat processor employees only. Expenses that incentivize current employees, the meat processor owner, etc., are not eligible. See pages 3-4 of the Train and Retain RFP for more information.
No. The grant is intended for partner organizations to assist small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new processing employees. Grocery stores looking for future grant opportunities may consider exploring the Good Food Access Program.
Administrative costs are costs incurred by the partner organization (grant applicant) so it can perform work on the grant. For example, part of the grant coordinator’s salary or office space rental could be considered administrative costs. Sign-on bonuses and housing relocation assistance for meat processor employees are not administrative costs.
Partner organizations must agree to minimize administrative costs as a condition of the grant. The MDA expects that applicants request to use no more than 10% of the total award for administrative costs, but the MDA will consider reasonable costs more than this amount. All anticipated administrative costs must be justified in the proposal.
Administrative costs are costs incurred by the partner organization (grant applicant) so it can perform work on the grant. For example, part of the grant coordinator’s salary or office space rental could be considered administrative costs. Sign-on bonuses and housing relocation assistance for meat processor employees are not administrative costs.
Partner organizations must agree to minimize administrative costs as a condition of the grant. The MDA expects that applicants request to use no more than 10% of the total award for administrative costs, but the MDA will consider reasonable costs more than this amount. All anticipated administrative costs must be justified in the proposal.
Childcare stipends are for new meat processor employees who may need financial assistance with childcare. Eligible expenses such as childcare stipends, employee relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, etc. are intended for new meat processor employees only. Expenses that incentivize current employees, the meat processor owner, etc., are not eligible. See pages 3-4 of the Train and Retain RFP for more information.
Childcare stipends are for new meat processor employees who may need financial assistance with childcare. Eligible expenses such as childcare stipends, employee relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, etc. are intended for new meat processor employees only. Expenses that incentivize current employees, the meat processor owner, etc., are not eligible. See pages 3-4 of the Train and Retain RFP for more information.
No. The grant is intended for partner organizations to assist small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new processing employees. Grocery stores looking for future grant opportunities may consider exploring the Good Food Access Program.
No. The grant is intended for partner organizations to assist small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new processing employees. Grocery stores looking for future grant opportunities may consider exploring the Good Food Access Program.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is placing spongy moth-infested areas in Coon Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Winona under quarantine beginning May 1. A portion of each city will be quarantined, which limits the movement of woody material out of the area.
A detailed quarantine map of each area is available on the MDA website. These quarantines will be in effect from May 1, 2025, to June 15, 2026.
What does the temporary quarantine do?
- The quarantine restricts the movement of trees, branches, and woody material, including firewood, out of the area. Trees may be pruned, but all branches and woody material must stay on the property (even if limbs are chipped spongy moth eggs are still viable).
- The quarantine requires self-inspection of any equipment, household items, or vehicles that are sitting outside in the quarantined area and are being moved out of the quarantine. This includes items such as wood pallets, patio furniture, grills, as well as, campers, and boats. Residents should look for spongy moth egg masses which are tan, fuzzy masses the size of a quarter. They should scrape the egg masses off the item or leave the item where it is.
High levels of spongy moths were discovered in Coon Rapids and Grand Rapids during the MDA’s 2024 annual spongy moth survey. The spongy moth-infested area in Winona was reported to the MDA by employees at a city campground. The three areas were scheduled to be aerially managed this spring with Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki), an insecticide used to kill spongy moth caterpillars and control isolated infestations. However, federal funding delays and uncertainties forced the MDA to cancel operations in these locations.
Spongy moths have caused millions of dollars in damage to forests in across eastern United States. The moths are common in Wisconsin and are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of urban and natural forests. Spongy moth feeds on over 300 different species of trees and shrubs, including many of Minnesota’s most common trees such as oak, aspen, basswood, and birch.
To provide more information, the MDA will be hosting two informational meetings.
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In person |
Virtual |
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Wednesday, April 30 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sand Creek Park Community Room |
Tuesday, April 29 noon-1 p.m. The virtual meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams. |
The MDA will be ramping up survey efforts in these areas and residents will likely notice traps placed on trees in many places. Residents are also asked to be on the lookout for any signs of spongy moths in the area. If you suspect a spongy moth infestation in your area, use the MDA’s online Report a Pest service, email reportapest@state.mn.us or call 1-888-545-6684.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
