Minnesota New Markets Cost-Share Program

The AGRI New Markets Cost-Share Program can help your Minnesota farm or branded food, beverage, or pet food company take advantage of market opportunities through E-commerce, digital and e-mail marketing, Business-to-Business (B2B) tradeshows (virtual and in-person), and store demos.

MDA has adapted to help you meet the challenges and opportunities of COVID-impacted food supply chains and changing consumer behavior. You can apply for two types of cost-shares (details below):

E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Cost-Share Program

Eligible E-commerce and digital marketing expenses might include:

• Third-party E-commerce marketplace/platform 

• Digital, e-mail, and social media advertising that drives traffic to E-commerce

• E-commerce consulting/management contracts

• E-commerce training and educational event attendance

• Website (with E-commerce) design and setup contracts

Contact MDA BEFORE you invest if you have questions on eligibility or qualified expenses.

Wholesale Cost-Share Program

Eligible expenses include:

• Business-Business (B2B) Tradeshow costs:

  • Booth rental

  • Badge scanner/lead retrieval services

  • Compostable sampling costs

  • Virtual B2B tradeshow registration

  • Shipping of samples to specific businesses for 1:1 meetings scheduled as part of a virtual domestic B2B tradeshow (only shipping costs are eligible; NOT product costs)

  • Videography created for a virtual B2B tradeshow

  • Association membership, if required to participate in an event

• In-Store Demo costs:

  • Must be a retail product demonstration in a store where your product is sold

  • May include labor for an employee, owner, or contracted help at a flat rate of $10/hour

  • May include mileage at $0.50/mile up to a maximum of $200 per demo

• Minnesota Pavilion Mentorship costs:

  • Only for approved participants in our Minnesota Pavilion Mentorship Program

  • One-time reimbursement per company; maximum $500

  • For expenses including airfare, hotel/lodging, car rental, education sessions, and badge for entry

To apply for either of these programs, your business must be:

• A Minnesota farm, or a branded food, beverage, or pet food making company registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State, AND

• A small-to-medium enterprise, which is an entity with fewer than 500 employees.

You must also agree to:

• Promptly return post-event and follow-up surveys that ask for information including the number of leads generated and sales projections.

• Retain receipts and records for three years and make them available for audit or inspection by the MDA or state auditor on request.

These cost-share programs are reimbursed at a rate of 50% of eligible investment made unless noted below:

• The E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Program limit is $2,000 per farm or company during Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

• The Wholesale Program limit is $2,000 per farm or company during FY22.

• The maximum combined reimbursement per farm or company from both programs is $3,000 in FY22

• How to Fill Out Your Online Application