Minnesota launches Grants for Ag product expansion

By Scout Nelson

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for two innovative grant programs designed to propel the state's agricultural industry forward. These grants aim to assist businesses involved in value-added agriculture and livestock product processing, helping them to start, modernize, and expand operations.

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant and the Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing (MPEM) Grant are structured to fund significant investments in equipment and infrastructure improvements.

These enhancements will facilitate increased production capacity, market diversification, and improved market access for Minnesota's agricultural products.

Eligible applicants include individuals such as farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nonprofits, educational institutions, and local government units, including tribal governments.

All applicants must be based in Minnesota and authorized to do business within the state. They should be currently engaged or plan to engage in the processing of Minnesota's agricultural products or in livestock slaughter and processing.

For the 2025 fiscal year, the MDA plans to distribute approximately $2.5 million across these two programs through a competitive review process. Individual grants can range from $1,000 to $150,000. Applicants are required to contribute a cash match—50% for the first $50,000 and 75% for any additional costs.

Projects that prioritize increasing food safety, expanding hemp fiber processing, accessing kosher or halal markets, and enhancing meat or poultry processing capacities, particularly slaughtering, will be given priority.

The deadline for grant applications is 4 p.m. on October 23, 2024. Applications must be submitted via the MDA's online system. Grant recipients will be announced in December 2024. For detailed information and application guidelines, interested parties should visit the MDA's website dedicated to the AGRI Value-Added and MPEM Grant programs.

Photo Credit:minnesota-department-of-agriculture