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Minnesota organic farmers and handlers currently certified through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program may be eligible for a rebate of up to 75% of their certification costs.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is open to Minnesota operations that received organic certification (or had ongoing certification) between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The program provides reimbursement for up to 75% of certification-related expenses, with a maximum of $750 per category (crop, livestock, processing/handling, and wild harvest).

Applications for the cost-share are due October 31, 2024. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and come from a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Interested farmers or handlers can review full program and application details on the MDA website. Applicants that do not wish to apply through the MDA may apply through their local FSA Office. Questions can be directed to Cassie Dahl at Cassie.Dahl@state.mn.us or 651-201-6134.

Organic certification is a third-party verification system that assures consumers the organic products they buy are produced in accordance with federal organic regulations. Organic operations must follow National Organic Standards and are monitored through review of their records and on-site inspections at least once a year.

For those transitioning a farm operation to organic, the MDA also offers the Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share Program.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including Cooperative Weed Management Areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state.

Since 2018, the MDA Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant has awarded over $1.5 million to fund a variety of activities, such as implementing weed management outreach, purchasing equipment and supplies, conducting mapping and outreach activities, and hiring private applicators to manage noxious weeds. One hundred sixty-five projects have been awarded, averaging $9,000 per award.

Awareness of noxious weeds has increased in communities that have received this funding in the past. Infestations of species such as wild parsnip and poison hemlock have been reduced in areas where municipalities have focused on treatments for several years. Organizations that have received funding from this grant are improving weed management practices, including identifying weeds earlier, and improving treatment timing.

Applications for this new round of invasive plant grants can be reviewed and downloaded on the MDA website. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on October 23, 2024. Questions can be directed to Emilie Justen, MDA Noxious Weed Law Coordinator, at Emilie.Justen@state.mn.us.

Funding for this grant originates from the 2023 Laws of Minnesota, Chapter 43, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 2 (d). Funding will be allocated through a competitive process with review by the MDA Noxious Weed Program and the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. Selected grantees will be announced in early 2025.

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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us

Applications are now being accepted for two grant opportunities currently available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) aimed at helping value-added businesses and livestock product processors seeking to start up, modernize, or expand their operations and increase ag product sales.

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant and Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing (MPEM) Grant programs provide funding for businesses to invest in equipment and physical improvement projects that support expanding production capacity, market diversification, and market access for their products.

Applicants must:

• Intend to or currently be engaged in the processing of Minnesota agricultural products; or intend to or currently be engaged with livestock slaughter or processing, including meat, poultry, egg, and/or milk.
• Be an individual (including farmers), business, agricultural cooperative, nonprofit, educational institution, or a local unit of government (including tribal governments).
• Currently be located or reside in Minnesota and be authorized to conduct business in Minnesota.

The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $2.5 million between the two programs in fiscal year 2025 using a competitive review process. The maximum award amount for both grants is $150,000, and the minimum is $1,000. Grantees are responsible for a cash match of 50% for the first $50,000 of the total project cost, and 75% for the total remaining cost.

Priority projects for this round of funding include those that will increase food safety; increase hemp fiber processing capacity; increase access to kosher or halal markets; and focus on meat or poultry processing capacity, especially slaughtering.

Grant applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, through the MDA’s online application system. Funding for both programs will be awarded in one round, with decisions expected in December 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit the AGRI Value-Added Grant and Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant webpages.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now seeking applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Crop Research Grant Program.

Crop Research Grant funding is intended to generate applied research that will improve agricultural product quality, quantity, or value within Minnesota’s crop industry. Projects must have near-term benefits (three to seven years) for Minnesota’s farmers and the state’s economy, and applications must include an outreach plan describing how results will be made available to the public.

Special consideration will be given to research on crops with limited access to other research funds, as well as projects with an outreach plan describing how activities or outcomes will meaningfully involve or inform farmers or rural communities with limited economic opportunities.

Any Minnesota organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capabilities is eligible to apply and receive funding.

The MDA will award roughly $1.2 million through this round of grants, with a maximum grant amount of $250,000 per proposal. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

To access full program details and the online application, visit the MDA’s website.

Funding for the Crop Research Grant was established through the AGRI Program, which provides grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout Minnesota to advance the state’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us