Minnesota AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant

NEW, in fiscal year (FY) 2026, there are two funding opportunities:

• The Community and Economic Development Grant if for projects that directly support community development or increase economic vitality through urban agriculture. Projects must benefit multiple growers or community members.

• The Youth Education Grant will support projects that focus on starting or growing agricultural-based education programs from early childhood through post-secondary and young adult-aged students.

Previously, there was one grant to support either youth education or community engagement projects in urban agriculture. This year, there are two separate grants.

The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program encourages urban youth agricultural education and urban agriculture community development within city limits of urban or peri-urban areas.

Grants help organizations and communities obtain the materials and services necessary to successfully promote urban youth agricultural education and urban agriculture community development.

The following groups are eligible to apply:

• For-profit businesses

• Nonprofit organizations

• Schools or school districts

• Post-secondary institutions

• Local government entities

• Native American tribal communities or governments

Project Eligibility:

Eligible grant projects must directly support the goals of promoting urban agriculture youth education or urban agriculture community development. Projects must be located in or serve communities that meet one of the following criteria:

• Cities with a population over 5,000, or

• Located within the boundaries of federally recognized Tribal land and serving Tribal community members, regardless of population size.

You'll find a list of eligible cities and Tribal areas in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

• Eligible grant expenses include but aren't limited to the purchase and installation of equipment; capital expenditures (costs incurred to make physical improvements to or construct a facility); personnel (staff/contractor) time; transportation costs; and translation costs.

A reimbursement grant with a hard cash-match requirement. MDA publishes, for FY 2026: "A total of $1.93 million is available in FY 2026. Applicants may request between $5,000 and $75,000 per project. A 25% cash match is required. The MDA will reimburse up to 75% of project costs."

So at the $75,000 ceiling you need roughly $25,000 of your own cash in the project. The match must be cash — in-kind is not named as acceptable.

Eligible expenses "include but aren't limited to the purchase and installation of equipment; capital expenditures (costs incurred to make physical improvements to or construct a facility); personnel (staff/contractor) time; transportation costs; and translation costs."

FY 2026 split the program into two tracks with the same dollar terms: a Community and Economic Development Grant ("projects must benefit multiple growers or community members") and a Youth Education Grant (agricultural education from early childhood through young adult).

Note the applicant list is organizational, not individual: for-profit businesses, nonprofits, schools and school districts, post-secondary institutions, local government entities, and Native American tribal communities or governments. Projects must be in or serve "Cities with a population over 5,000, or Located within the boundaries of federally recognized Tribal land."

The FY 2026 application period "closed on February 26, 2026"; these terms describe that round.

• Carefully read the 2026 AGRI Urban Ag Community & Economic Development Grant RFP (PDF) and FY26 Urban Ag Youth Education Grant RFP (PDF) for eligibility, requirements, and priorities.

• Apply for an AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant.

  • If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.

  • Once you are logged in, select either "FY26 AGRI Urban Agriculture Community and Economic Development Grant" or "FY26 AGRI Urban Agriculture Youth Education Grant."

Apply for an AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant

Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.

• FY26 Urban Ag Community & Economic Development Grant RFP (PDF)

• FY26 Urban Ag Youth Education Grant RFP (PDF)

• FY 26 AGRI Urban Ag Budget Table template

• FY 26 AGRI Urban Ag Authority to Apply Letter template

• AGRI Overview