The Farm Opportunity Loan Program is designed to finance the purchase of equipment to add value to crops or livestock, ado
I noticed on my renewal application that the business, operations and facilities information listed is incorrect or incomplete. How do I go about correcting this information and what are the business, operations and facility options?
You may correct the information by crossing out the incorrect/obsolete information and listing any additional information on the form in the open space under the licensed locations column.
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January 31, 2024
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
Starts:
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 1:30 pm
Ends:
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 3:30 pm
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
Details:
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.
