Minnesota Dairy Business Planning Grants

These grants encourage business planning and modernization activities and other improvements on Minnesota dairy farms. They will also help you pay for stray voltage testing.

Grants cover 50 percent of the cost to hire a qualified, independent third party to create a business plan for a dairy operation and/or test for stray voltage. Dairy producers have used these grants to evaluate the feasibility of expanding a dairy, plan environmental upgrades, and create strategies to transfer the operation to a family member or other new owner.

Existing and beginning Minnesota dairy farmers are eligible for this program.

Ineligible costs:

Services that are not directly related to the improvement and continuance of the dairy farm, such as:

• Nutrition consulting

• Retirement and investment planning

• Tax planning and tax return preparation

• Intergenerational transfer planning that discontinues the dairy enterprise

• Loan origination or documentation fees

• Chattel real estate appraisal

• Crop consulting

• Nutrient management planning – except as required in the business plan

• Veterinary/herd health consulting

• The cost to complete a dairy business planning grant application

The grant pays 50 percent of the cost to develop a business plan, up to $5,000. You must pay the other 50 percent.

Applications are funded on a first come, first served basis.

Dairy Business Planning Grant Application (PDF)

Livestock Expansion Loan Program

Livestock Equipment Loan Program