- I lease a portion of my land to another farmer. Can we both apply?
- Yes, if the other farmer is a different entity with separate management and cash flow.
- Are nonprofits eligible to apply for the Prepare Grant?
- Nonprofits are eligible if they are registered with the Minnesota Attorney General; Minnesota Secretary of State; and either certified with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a corporate farm or exempt from the corporate farm law.
- Multiple farmers utilize our organization’s land. Can our organization apply for our farmers?
- Yes, if your organization is authorized to farm, you could apply but would be limited to $10,000 for your organization.
- I raise animals that are not listed as eligible livestock type. Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare program is specific on the types of livestock that are eligible.
- I do not raise livestock, but my business works with livestock and livestock producers (e.g., veterinary clinic, feed production, animal rescue, etc.) Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production.
- I do not currently have livestock or specialty crops. Am I eligible to apply?
- No, the grant is available to farmers that produce and sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually at the time they apply.
- I produce corn and soybeans. Can I apply for this grant?
- No, the grant is open only to farmers that raise and sell livestock or specialty crops such as annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for examples.
- What kind of documentation do I need to submit to prove that I sell at least $1,000 of agricultural products annually?
- That part of the application is a self-attestation. The MDA reserves the right to verify the information provided.
- My farming business is not registered with the Secretary of State yet. Can I apply?
- Yes, you can apply as an individual.
- My farm business is registered in Minnesota, but the farm plot is in Wisconsin. Can I apply for something I intend to do at my farm in Wisconsin?
- No, the farm must be in Minnesota.
Applicant Eligibility
- I lease a portion of my land to another farmer. Can we both apply?
- Yes, if the other farmer is a different entity with separate management and cash flow.
- Are nonprofits eligible to apply for the Prepare Grant?
- Nonprofits are eligible if they are registered with the Minnesota Attorney General; Minnesota Secretary of State; and either certified with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a corporate farm or exempt from the corporate farm law.
- Multiple farmers utilize our organization’s land. Can our organization apply for our farmers?
- Yes, if your organization is authorized to farm, you could apply but would be limited to $10,000 for your organization.
- I raise animals that are not listed as eligible livestock type. Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare program is specific on the types of livestock that are eligible.
- I do not raise livestock, but my business works with livestock and livestock producers (e.g., veterinary clinic, feed production, animal rescue, etc.) Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production.
- I do not currently have livestock or specialty crops. Am I eligible to apply?
- No, the grant is available to farmers that produce and sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually at the time they apply.
- I produce corn and soybeans. Can I apply for this grant?
- No, the grant is open only to farmers that raise and sell livestock or specialty crops such as annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for examples.
- What kind of documentation do I need to submit to prove that I sell at least $1,000 of agricultural products annually?
- That part of the application is a self-attestation. The MDA reserves the right to verify the information provided.
- My farming business is not registered with the Secretary of State yet. Can I apply?
- Yes, you can apply as an individual.
- My farm business is registered in Minnesota, but the farm plot is in Wisconsin. Can I apply for something I intend to do at my farm in Wisconsin?
- No, the farm must be in Minnesota.
- Can two farmers apply for the same project?
- No, only one of the farmers may apply for the project. We will only approve one application per project.
- What is the date range when expenses are eligible? Can I purchase something yet this spring?
- Equipment must be purchased and installed during the grant contract period, which we expect to be April 2025 to June 30, 2026. Before you make any purchases, your grant contract must be fully signed or those costs won’t be eligible.
- Is personal labor eligible?
- No.
- I want to hire a consultant. Is their time an eligible cost for this program?
- No, only supplies, equipment, and related installation costs are eligible costs.
- I want to apply for something not listed in the program examples. Is my project eligible?
- Yes, if your project will help make your operation more resilient to extreme weather. The items on the provided list are just examples.
Project Eligibility
- Can two farmers apply for the same project?
- No, only one of the farmers may apply for the project. We will only approve one application per project.
- What is the date range when expenses are eligible? Can I purchase something yet this spring?
- Equipment must be purchased and installed during the grant contract period, which we expect to be April 2025 to June 30, 2026. Before you make any purchases, your grant contract must be fully signed or those costs won’t be eligible.
- Is personal labor eligible?
- No.
- I want to hire a consultant. Is their time an eligible cost for this program?
- No, only supplies, equipment, and related installation costs are eligible costs.
- I want to apply for something not listed in the program examples. Is my project eligible?
- Yes, if your project will help make your operation more resilient to extreme weather. The items on the provided list are just examples.
- I lease a portion of my land to another farmer. Can we both apply?
- Yes, if the other farmer is a different entity with separate management and cash flow.
- Are nonprofits eligible to apply for the Prepare Grant?
- Nonprofits are eligible if they are registered with the Minnesota Attorney General; Minnesota Secretary of State; and either certified with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a corporate farm or exempt from the corporate farm law.
- Multiple farmers utilize our organization’s land. Can our organization apply for our farmers?
- Yes, if your organization is authorized to farm, you could apply but would be limited to $10,000 for your organization.
- I raise animals that are not listed as eligible livestock type. Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare program is specific on the types of livestock that are eligible.
- I do not raise livestock, but my business works with livestock and livestock producers (e.g., veterinary clinic, feed production, animal rescue, etc.) Is my operation eligible?
- No, the Prepare Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production.
- I do not currently have livestock or specialty crops. Am I eligible to apply?
- No, the grant is available to farmers that produce and sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually at the time they apply.
- I produce corn and soybeans. Can I apply for this grant?
- No, the grant is open only to farmers that raise and sell livestock or specialty crops such as annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants. See USDA’s list of Specialty Crops for examples.
- What kind of documentation do I need to submit to prove that I sell at least $1,000 of agricultural products annually?
- That part of the application is a self-attestation. The MDA reserves the right to verify the information provided.
- My farming business is not registered with the Secretary of State yet. Can I apply?
- Yes, you can apply as an individual.
- My farm business is registered in Minnesota, but the farm plot is in Wisconsin. Can I apply for something I intend to do at my farm in Wisconsin?
- No, the farm must be in Minnesota.
- Can two farmers apply for the same project?
- No, only one of the farmers may apply for the project. We will only approve one application per project.
- What is the date range when expenses are eligible? Can I purchase something yet this spring?
- Equipment must be purchased and installed during the grant contract period, which we expect to be April 2025 to June 30, 2026. Before you make any purchases, your grant contract must be fully signed or those costs won’t be eligible.
- Is personal labor eligible?
- No.
- I want to hire a consultant. Is their time an eligible cost for this program?
- No, only supplies, equipment, and related installation costs are eligible costs.
- I want to apply for something not listed in the program examples. Is my project eligible?
- Yes, if your project will help make your operation more resilient to extreme weather. The items on the provided list are just examples.
- Is there a match requirement?
- There is a 50% match requirement. Sources of the matching funds may include cash, loans, other grants, and liquid capital assets dedicated to the project.
- Can I use grant funds from another Minnesota state agency as part of my matching funds?
- No. State grant funds cannot be used as matching funds, but non-forgivable loans from the state may be used as a match.
- Can I use in-kind services or a consultant's fees as match?
- No, only eligible items can be used as match.
- What if my project cost is greater than $20,000? Can I still apply?
- Yes, you may apply for a project that is greater than $20,000. You will be responsible for the cost exceeding the match of $10,000. For example, if your project is $25,000, you are eligible for $10,000 in grant funds. Your cost would be $15,000.
- Can I be reimbursed for in-kind labor?
- No, in-kind labor is not eligible.
- What are the odds that my application will be funded?
- The grants are competitively awarded so it depends on the number and quality of applications we receive.
- Any tips to getting my application funded?
- The applications will be scored based on the scoring criteria in the RFP. Maximize your points by clearly answering the application questions.
- Where can I get help with writing the grant application?
- University of Minnesota Extension and other agricultural groups have resources to help with grant writing. Some applicants have worked with teachers or small business development centers to help them complete their application.
- I raise both livestock and specialty crops and want to do projects related to both. Can I apply for two grants?
- No. You must combine both requests into your application, but the maximum award per operation is $10,000.
- I want to help multiple farmers apply. Do I need to create a username in the system for each farmer or can I apply for them using my account?
- You can either create an account for each farmer or apply for each farmer using your account. If you use your account, you must create a separate application for each farmer.
- I have a quote from a vendor for my project. Do I have to follow the bidding requirements outlined in the RFP?
- All funded applicants need to follow the state’s bidding requirements. We expect that most grantees will need to follow the Non-governmental/nonprofit organization guidelines. Note that if specific contractors are named in the application, you won't need to undergo a formal bidding process, which can save you time and effort later.
- When will I be notified if I am awarded the grant?
- We will notify all applicants by March 26, 2025.
- If awarded, what do I need to do to receive the funds?
- First, you must accept the grant award. This includes submitting an IRS Form W9 to the grant manager and approving the budget for your project. Next, you will sign a grant contract agreement. After the grant contract agreement is fully signed by all parties, you can begin work on the project. Finally, you will need to provide detailed invoices and proof of payments to receive your grant reimbursement.
- I would like to be notified by phone the status of my application. Is this possible?
- Yes, please mention in your application that you would like to be contacted by phone.
- I applied for a different grant from the MDA. I am waiting to hear if I receive that grant. Can I apply for this grant?
- Yes, you can apply for this grant while waiting for the results of another MDA grant program. If awarded a different MDA grant you may withdraw your application to this program. You can only be awarded one grant per project.
- Is there a match requirement?
- There is a 50% match requirement. Sources of the matching funds may include cash, loans, other grants, and liquid capital assets dedicated to the project.
- Can I use grant funds from another Minnesota state agency as part of my matching funds?
- No. State grant funds cannot be used as matching funds, but non-forgivable loans from the state may be used as a match.
- Can I use in-kind services or a consultant's fees as match?
- No, only eligible items can be used as match.
- What if my project cost is greater than $20,000? Can I still apply?
- Yes, you may apply for a project that is greater than $20,000. You will be responsible for the cost exceeding the match of $10,000. For example, if your project is $25,000, you are eligible for $10,000 in grant funds. Your cost would be $15,000.
- Can I be reimbursed for in-kind labor?
- No, in-kind labor is not eligible.
