By Scout Nelson
Starting July 6, first-time farm buyers in Minnesota can apply for up to $20,000 through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Down Payment Assistance Grant program. Launched in 2023, the initiative is designed to help beginning farmers overcome the financial challenges of purchasing farmland.
The grant can cover about 5% of a farm’s purchase price and is awarded through a lottery system. Since the program began, it has helped 130 farmers purchase farmland across the state.
Program officials say many recipients use the assistance not only to buy land but also to invest in farm improvements and conservation practices, including soil health initiatives and perennial crops.
To qualify, applicants or their spouses must not have previously owned farmland. They must also have annual farm sales below $250,000 and demonstrate knowledge of the farming operation they plan to pursue.
Priority is given to farmers with less than $100,000 in gross agricultural sales and those producing specialty crops, industrial hemp, or cannabis. Applications for the latest round of funding will be accepted through Aug. 31.
Photo Credit: minnesota-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture