Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MNDA)

Complete the application below according to the instructions.

Submit by email (preferred): mda.bftc@state.mn.us

or by mail to:
Rural Finance Authority 
Minnesota Department of Agriculture 
625 Robert St. N. 
St. Paul, MN 55155

Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program

The Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit provides tax credits for the rent or sale of farm land or a variety of farm assets to beginning farmers. This includes incentives for the sale of farm land.



A Beginning Farmer is defined as: 
- A Minnesota resident who is seeking entry, or has entered into farming within the last 10 years 
- A farmer who will provide the majority of the labor and management of the farm that is located in Minnesota 
- Has adequate experience and knowledge of the type of farming for which they seek assistance from the Rural Finance Authority 
- Can provide positive projected earnings statements 
- Is not directly related to the owner of the agricultural asset (This includes parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, spouses, children, and grandchildren. Legal adoption shall be considered in full effect) 
- Has a net worth that does not exceed the limit provided under section 41B.03, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2). Currently this limit is $836,000. 

The beginning farmer may need to participate in an approved financial management program. Costs of financial management programs up to a maximum of $1,500 per year (for up to 3 years) may also be eligible for a tax credit. The financial management credit need not be tied to any agricultural asset sale or rental.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

- Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Fact Sheet
- Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Asset Owner Application (2021)
- Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Application (2021)
- Crop Share Calculator

The credit to the agricultural asset owner is as follows: 
- 5% of the lesser of the sale price or fair market value of the agricultural asset up to a maximum of $32,000; 
- 10% of the gross rental income in each of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of the rental agreement, up to a maximum of $7,000 per year, or 
- 15% of the cash equivalent of the gross rental income in each of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of a share rent agreement, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year. The agricultural asset owner can claim credits in one of the above categories in a given tax year up to the maximums stated. 

1. Contact the grant administrator to find out if your project is eligible.
2. Complete and submit the Dairy Business Planning Grant Application (PDF). You can either fill out the application form on your computer or you can print it out and complete it by hand.
3. Make sure your proposal contains these key components of a business plan (see Attachment C for an example outline):
    a. Executive Summary
    b. Short and Long Term Goals and Objectives
    c. Management Analysis
    d. Current and Historical Financial Information/Production Information
    e. Analysis of Proposed Business Changes
4. An MDA review committee will review your project and determine if it should be funded.


David Weinand

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.



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

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Dairy

Butter

Yogurt

Cheese

Milk

Goat Milk

Cow Milk

Dairy Business Planning Grant Application (PDF)
Livestock Expansion Loan Program
Livestock Equipment Loan Program

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Regenerative

Certification

Carbon Capture

Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat

Soil Health

Succession

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Business Plan

Waste & Manure Management

Fertilizer

Cover Crops

Certified Grassfed

Certified Organic

Reduced Tillage

Weeds

Legal & Finance

Transition

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.

To enroll, farmers and crop advisers should both complete the simple registration form online, or contact a local NMI representative by March 15 (Farmers are limited to one Field Trial or Advanced Rate Trial, crop advisers are limited to ten).
- Farmers may work with a Crop Adviser or Co-op Agronomist to set up a Field Trial and record and submit required documentation.
    - If a farmer does not have a crop adviser, the MDA staff will be able to assist with Field Trial set up, harvest, and completion of required forms.
    - Crop adviser will verify information is correct by submitting forms for the farmer.
- Farmers can work with a Crop Adviser or MDA representative to set up Advanced Rate Trials and record and submit required documentation.
- Individual identity and locations from the NMI program will be kept confidential and only used for year-end summaries and educational or promotional purposes.

Ryan Lemickson

Dawn Bernau

Kevin Hauth

**The Minnesota Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own fields.**


It is a simple tool that can lead to improved fertilizer efficiency and improved water quality.


Each participating farmer can work with a crop adviser to set up field trials on their farms. After completing plot harvest and submitting the required forms, farmers and crop advisers are reimbursed for their time and receive a summary and analysis of their results.

- **NMI is for corn grown for grain only** (wheat is acceptable in the northwest region). Wheat growers in northwest or west central Minnesota are encouraged to participate in the [Minnesota Wheat On-Farm Research Network](https://mnwheat.org/council/farm-research-network/). Contact Melissa Carlson at 952-738-2000 or mcarlson@mnwheat.com for more information.

- **A crop adviser and farmer must enroll in NMI separately in order to receive the full payment.** Deadline for enrollment is March 15th each year.



The Minnesota Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own fields.

It is a simple tool that can lead to improved fertilizer efficiency and improved water quality.

Each participating farmer can work with a crop adviser to set up field trials on their farms. After completing plot harvest and submitting the required forms, farmers and crop advisers are reimbursed for their time and receive a summary and analysis of their results.
- NMI is for corn grown for grain only (wheat is acceptable in the northwest region). Wheat growers in northwest or west central Minnesota are encouraged to participate in the Minnesota Wheat On-Farm Research Network. Contact Melissa Carlson at 952-738-2000 or mcarlson@mnwheat.com for more information.
- A crop adviser and farmer must enroll in NMI separately in order to receive the full payment. Deadline for enrollment is March 15th each year.

Field trial design requirements for all trials:
- Corn grown and harvested for grain only
- Field length strips preferred, minimum of 30 feet wide by 600 feet in length
- Account for all nitrogen sources including manure, alfalfa, legume credits in addition to starter, MAP and DAP
- Rate trials should maintain a minimum 30 lb N/acre rate separation for comparison. Dealer nitrogen program comparisons are also acceptable.
- Keep all other factors consistent across field trial area (hybrid/variety, other nutrients, rates, soils, field history, drainage, topography, equipment)
- Crop adviser submits information to verify accuracy (If a farmer does not have a crop adviser, please contact closest NMI representative for assistance.)

*See NMI Guidelines for a complete listing of field trial requirements.

Corn

Sweet Corn

Row Crops

- Registration
- Field Trial Requirements
- Guidelines

Wetland Conservation

Irrigation

Waterway Protection

Water Quality

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Water Management

Research

Waste & Compost

Farmers and crop advisers are compensated for each field trial. The rate of compensation is higher for those that participate in the Advanced Rate Trial. Due to State contracting policies, individual participant payments are paid in two equal installments (June & December).


Read the full Request for Proposals and apply online following these instructions.

If you need the application in an alternative format, contact the program administrator.

Kelly Anderson

The AGRI Value-Added Grant helps Minnesota processors add value to Minnesota agricultural products by investing in the purchase of equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added products.



Individuals, farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, or local government entities are eligible to apply. You must explain how your project will increase the sales of Minnesota agricultural products and/or increase market access. The program aims to fund projects that impact many farmers.

MDA will prioritize projects that create additional meat or poultry processing capacity, increase food safety to improve marketability, respond to changing market conditions as result of COVID-19, or respond to civil unrest.

MDA is not funding feasibility studies this year.

- 2021 AGRI Value-Added Grant Request for Proposals

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Events

Distribution

Diversification

Trade Relief

Marketing

MDA expects to award a total of $1 million in Fiscal Year 2021. Grants may reimburse up to 25 percent of eligible expenses. The maximum award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000.

Create an account and apply online here.
Review the Request For Proposals to prepare yourself to apply.
If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact the program administrator.


Courtney VanderMey

The AGRI Livestock Investment Grant encourages long-term industry development for Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers by helping them improve, update, and modernize their livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.



Minnesota livestock farmers may apply. Applicants must be:
- in good standing with the state of Minnesota (no back taxes)
- a current Minnesota resident or a business entity that has authorization to farm in Minnesota
- the principal operator of the farm
NOTE: "Livestock" include beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervidae (deer), ratitae (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.

Project Eligibility:

This grant program reimburses investments in:
1. Buildings or facilities for the production of livestock or livestock products.
2. Development of pasture for use by livestock including, but not limited to, lanes, watering systems, and fences.
3. Equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management.

The grant will NOT pay for livestock, buying pasture/crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.

Livestock

Cattle

Specialty Livestock

Pigs

Sheep

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Ducks

Geese

Caribou

Equine

Guinea Pigs

Mink

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Water Buffalo

Alpacas

Beefalo

Emus

Llamas

Mohair

Reindeer

Bison

Buffalo

Deer

Goats

Turkey

Barrows

Boars

Sows

Hogs

Feeder Pigs

Rams

Lambs

Ewes

Ducklings

Goslings

Horses

Bucks

Slaughter Goats

Nannies

Poults

Toms

- Request For Proposals
- How to Fill Out Your Online Application

Facilities

Disaster Relief

Emergency

- Total awards granted total of $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2022.
- AGRI reimburses 10% of the first $250,000 of an eligible investment.
- For each project, the maximum grant amount available per fiscal year is $25,000.
- Only one grant per project.
- The lifetime maximum per farm is $50,000.
- There will be two rounds of funding. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply during the Fall 2021 round. In Winter/Spring 2022, AGRI will issue a second RFP for any remaining funds.


Emily Mehr

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 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
- Non-profit organizations
- Schools
- Local government entities
- Native American tribal communities

Project Eligibility:

Eligible grant projects include the purchase and installation of equipment; capital expenditures (costs incurred to make physical improvements to or construct a facility); and/or dedicated staff contractor time. Projects must be located in or serve communities that meet one of the following criteria:
- Cities with a population over 10,000, or
- Cities with a population between 5,000 and 10,000, where at least ten percent of the population is living at or below 200 percent of the poverty line and/or at least ten percent of the population is comprised of people of color and/or Native American tribal community members as determined by the United States Census Bureau, 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.

- Request for Proposals
- Invitación a Presentar Propuestas - Programa de Subvención Agrícola Urbana
- FAQs
- Resources for Grantees
- Past Projects

Stewardship

You may email your completed application to: MN_MDA_elkandwolf@state.mn

Or mail your completed application to:
Attn: Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grant
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Plant Protection Division
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155-2538

The Application is within the RFP below.

NiCole Rawski

Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants were first funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2017. These grants were available to Minnesota livestock producers and $240,000 was granted by the Department to livestock producers for costs of approved practices to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019.


New this year, grants must be matched 1:1 by producers. For example, a $10,000 project would consist of $5,000 in grant funds and $5,000 funded by the producer. Documentation must be provided to the Department for the entire amount spent on the project. For this example, that would be $10,000. The Department has received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to continue making grants to livestock producers for measures that will reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. A total of $60,000 is available through August 31, 2022. We expect 10 to 20 grants will be awarded, but the final number depends on the size of award. 


Grant applications will be scored competitively using an evaluation profile and then ranked based on total score. Please pay special attention to the evaluation profile when answering the questions on the application. A review committee comprised of representatives from Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture (MDA, DNR, USDA) and producer organizations will evaluate applications.



Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants were first funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2017. These grants were available to Minnesota livestock producers and $240,000 was granted by the Department to livestock producers for costs of approved practices to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019.

New this year, grants must be matched 1:1 by producers. For example, a $10,000 project would consist of $5,000 in grant funds and $5,000 funded by the producer. Documentation must be provided to the Department for the entire amount spent on the project. For this example, that would be $10,000. The Department has received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to continue making grants to livestock producers for measures that will reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. A total of $60,000 is available through August 31, 2022. We expect 10 to 20 grants will be awarded, but the final number depends on the size of award. 

Grant applications will be scored competitively using an evaluation profile and then ranked based on total score. Please pay special attention to the evaluation profile when answering the questions on the application. A review committee comprised of representatives from Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture (MDA, DNR, USDA) and producer organizations will evaluate applications.

Who is eligible:

Livestock producers within Minnesota’s wolf range or on property determined by the commissioner to be affected by wolf-livestock conflicts. Grant recipients will continue to be eligible for depredation payments under Minnesota Statute 3.737 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 1515.

Eligible livestock species:

Any animal produced for profit and has been documented to have been killed by wolves in Minnesota in the past is eligible. This includes but is not exclusive to the following animals which the MDA has paid depredation claims for in the past: bison, cattle, chicken, deer, donkey, duck, geese, goat, horse, llama, mule, sheep, swine and turkey.

Eligible grant expenses:

Grants are available to reimburse costs associated with the following practices: the purchase of guard animals, veterinary costs for guard animals, the installation of wolf-barriers which may include pens, fladry and fencing, the installation of wolf-deterring lights and alarms, calving or lambing shelters, or other measures suggested by the applicant and considered by the review panel likely to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts.

Ineligible expenses:

Any measures that are not implemented in a good-faith effort to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts are ineligible. Only measures approved by the MDA will be considered eligible for reimbursement. All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) or other vehicles are considered to be ineligible expenses. Salary expenses not related to the construction of barriers, shelters, lights or alarms are also considered ineligible expenses.

- Request For Proposals 2022
- Wolf Depredation Compensation
- Minnesota’s wolf population
- Wolf management

Local Food

Farmers Market

Equipment

Grant recipients must make a good-faith effort to avoid wolf-livestock conflicts, make a good-faith effort to care for guard animals paid for with grant funds, retain proper documentation of expenses, report within 30 days of project end to the on the effectiveness of the nonlethal methods employed and allow follow-up evaluation and monitoring by the commissioner. The terms of the project will be defined in a grant agreement between the grantee and the MDA.

List of Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MNDA) Funding Opportunities