The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant offers dollar-per-dollar matching up to $15,000 for qualified farmers purchasing their first farm. The grant program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Rural Finance Authority (RFA) as part of its mission to develop the state’s agricultural resources.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/15/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $15,000
Details:
The intent of the grant program is to help Beginning and Emerging Farmers invest in farm ownership. With the average age of farmers increasing in their state, farm succession and legacy planning is important to the sector.
Funding Information
The Minnesota State Legislature approved $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 for down payment assistance grants to Minnesota farmers earning less than $250,000 per year in gross agricultural sales.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individual (LLCs, partnerships, non-profits, and other businesses not eligible)
- Minnesota resident
- Earn less than $250,000 annually in gross agricultural sales
- Applicants and their spouses must have not previously had any direct or indirect ownership in farmland or other agricultural property.
- Will provide the majority of labor and management on the farm
- Will farm the land for at least 5 years
- In good standing with the State of Minnesota
- Have not been convicted of a crime related to a state grant agreement
Eligible Purchases
- Farmland or other agricultural property (hog barn, commercial greenhouse, etc.)
- Within the borders of Minnesota
- Must close within 90 days after application approval. This grant cannot be applied retroactively toward purchases that have already closed.
For more information, visit Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
