The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/26/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The program was established by the Minnesota Legislature and supports farmers by helping them access essential equipment and invest in on-farm infrastructure needed to support the future of their farm businesses.
Funding Information
- They expect to award approximately $700,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum award is $10,000 and the minimum award is $1,000.
- For proposals up to $2,000, no match is required, 100% of the costs can be reimbursed.
- For proposals requesting more than $2,000, grantees may be reimbursed up to 75% of their costs up to $10,000.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects will:
- Aim to significantly strengthen a beginning farmer’s business, resulting in a long-term impact for the business.
- Be conducted in Minnesota.
- Be completed before June 30, 2027.
- Not start until the grant contract agreement is signed by all parties and has reached its start date. No purchasing or contracting of goods and services may occur prior to the full execution of the grant contract agreement or the effective date, whichever is later.
- Eligible Projects Include:
- Agriculture-specific equipment needed to grow crops, raise livestock, or store related farm products. “Agriculture-specific” refers to equipment that is designed specifically for farm activities. This is different than general purpose equipment. This includes a large variety of items – if you want to check the eligibility of a specific type of equipment, contact the grant administrator. Also, see Ineligible Expenses.
- Farm infrastructure investments related to water access; irrigation; fencing; electricity; walk-in coolers; livestock handling; grain storage; production-related structures such as barns, livestock buildings, and greenhouses; and other farm infrastructure.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be considered for this grant opportunity. Applicants must:
- Be farming within the borders of Minnesota or be a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota.
- Be a beginning farmer, defined as a person who:
- Entered into farming within the last 10 years, and
- Is a principal operator on a farm (see Definitions), and
- Has some farming experience and knowledge.
- Have sold between $1,000-$500,000 of farm products in the 2024 tax year. For individuals not yet farming in 2024, use 2025 farm product sales.
- Have filed a Schedule F or other tax documents to report farm-related income in 2024, unless they began farming in 2025.
- Meet the requirements of the Pre-award Risk Assessment.
- Be in good standing with the State of Minnesota:
- No back taxes owed.
- No defaults on Minnesota state-backed financing for the last seven years.
- Acceptable performance on past grants from the MDA or other state agencies.
- Appropriately licensed and compliant with current state regulations or this project will support the business in becoming compliant.
- Not debarred or suspended from doing business with the State of Minnesota or the federal government.
- Registered with the Secretary of State and the Corporate Farm Law program, if accepting the award as a business entity.
- No conviction of felony financial crimes of its principals for the past 10 years.
For more information, visit MDA.
