Minnesota Dairy Business Planning Grant

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 grant.

The cost of services that are not directly related to the improvement and continuance of the dairy farm are ineligible for this grant, 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. Applicant must pay the other 50 percent.

MDA prioritizes applications received by May 1 of each fiscal year. Read the full Dairy Business Planning Grant Program Details (PDF) before applying. Prepare the information needed for the online application, including: farm or business summary; goal of business plan; professional services you'll be using to develop your business plan; quotes (optional); and workplan and timeline. Apply online through the MDA grants system. If you're a new user, you will need to create an account; once logged in, select "Dairy Business Planning Grant." An MDA review committee will look over your project and decide if it should be funded.

• Dairy Business Planning Grant Application (PDF)

• Livestock Expansion Loan Program

• Livestock Equipment Loan Program