The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Agriculture Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant Program.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 11/13/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
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.
This grant will specifically prioritize:
- Beginning farmers and farms owned or principally operated by beginning farmers. A beginning farmer is defined as someone who has farmed 10 years or fewer.
- Generational transitions.
- Production of livestock for kosher or halal markets.
- Robotic milking equipment.
- Applicants who have not previously received a Livestock Investment Grant.
Funding Information
- MDA expects to award a total of $1.4 million in FY 2026.
- MDA will reimburse 50% of the first $20,000 in eligible expenses, then 25% of eligible expenses up to the maximum grant of $25,000. The minimum grant award is $400.
- The AGRI Livestock Investment Grant is a reimbursement grant.
Grant Period
Grants may last up to three years from the contract start date.
Project Eligibility
- This grant program reimburses investments in:
- Buildings or facilities to produce livestock or livestock products.
- Development of pasture for use by livestock, including but not limited to lanes, watering systems, and fences.
- Equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management.
The grant will not pay for livestock, tractors, skid steer loaders, general purpose buildings, pasture or crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota that produces and sells at least $1,000 of livestock products annually, or would normally sell at least $1,000 of livestock products in a typical year.
- Be a resident of the state of Minnesota, a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota, or a unit of Tribal government.
- Hold an appropriate feedlot registration when applicable.
For more information, visit MDA.
