What type of equipment and infrastructure can I pay for with this grant?

Through this grant, beginning farmers can pay for:

  • Farm-specific equipment purchase or lease.

  • Farm infrastructure development costs.

“Farm-specific” refers to equipment that is designed to carry out a function related to a farm activity. This can be contrasted with general purpose equipment.

 

The grant will not fund:

  • General purpose equipment and supplies, for example office supplies, computer, tablet or smart phone purchases, and non-farm specific vehicles.

  • Improvements to residential infrastructure located on a farm.

  • Value-added equipment or infrastructure development that is related to processing farm products. For support with this type of expense, see the AGRI Value-Added Grant Program.

See the Request for Proposals(PDF) for more information about eligible and ineligible expenses. 

No

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

When is the deadline to apply?

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

No

Apply for this grant through the MDA's online application system.  

  • If you’re a new user, you need to create an account first.
  • Once you’re logged in, select “Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.”
  • Contact us if you need this information in a different format.

Before applying, read the RFP.

How do I fill out the application?

Apply for this grant through the MDA's online application system.  

  • If you’re a new user, you need to create an account first.
  • Once you’re logged in, select “Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.”
  • Contact us if you need this information in a different format.

Before applying, read the RFP.

No

For questions on the grant program or application, submit them in writing before 11:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to MDA grant specialist Emily Toner at beginning.farmer.grant.mda@state.mn.us. 

How do I ask questions about this grant?

For questions on the grant program or application, submit them in writing before 11:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to MDA grant specialist Emily Toner at beginning.farmer.grant.mda@state.mn.us. 

No

A beginning farmer is defined as a person who:

  • Seeks entry or who entered into farming within the last 10 years.
  • Provides the majority of labor and management on a farm.
  • Has some farming experience and knowledge.
What is the definition of "beginning farmer?"

A beginning farmer is defined as a person who:

  • Seeks entry or who entered into farming within the last 10 years.
  • Provides the majority of labor and management on a farm.
  • Has some farming experience and knowledge.
No

To consider what type of request might score higher in the grant review process,  take a look at how applications will be evaluated, on page 7 of the RFP, the "Application Evaluation Profile."

That table gives a breakdown of the scoring categories, so you could weigh your different ideas based on how you think they might be scored there.