The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including weed management areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must spend grant funds by June 30, 2023.
Since 2018, the MDA’s Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant has awarded over $1.3 million to fund a variety of activities such as purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach activities, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds. The MDA has awarded 119 grants, averaging $9,000.
Review the application requirements and find the application on the MDA website. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on March 31, 2023. Questions can be directed to Emilie Justen, MDA Noxious Weed Law Coordinator, at Emilie.Justen@state.mn.us
The grant program is funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Good Food Access Program (GFAP) grants to increase availability and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods to underserved communities.
The GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant helps grocery stores and small food retailers purchase equipment or make physical improvements that will allow them to stock more fresh foods. Potential projects may include the purchase and installation costs of shelving, coolers, and freezers, as well as mobile food trucks, permanent infrastructure at farmers’ markets, or architectural work.
A total of $320,750 is available for this year’s round of GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants, and the MDA anticipates awarding between 10 and 18 grants of up to $50,000 each. A cash match is not required, and up to 50% of the award may be requested in advance. Multi-site proposals are encouraged.
The GFAP Technical Assistance Grant is available to help nonprofit organizations and public agencies provide appropriate technical assistance — including guidance and resources on topics such as business planning, financing, marketing, food procurement and distribution, handling and merchandising fresh foods, and more — to eligible food retailers, such as grocery stores, corner stores, and farmers’ markets.
The MDA will award up to $100,000 in this round of GFAP Technical Assistance Grants. Applicants may request between $5,000 and $50,000, and the grants can cover up to 75% of project costs.
Awards for both grants must be used to support projects that are located in or serve census-designated food deserts or low- and moderate-income communities with limited access to supermarkets.
All grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023.
For more information, including a list of eligibility requirements, visit the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant and the GFAP Technical Assistance Grant webpages.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
