By Molly Malone, former staff member
Producers looking to improve, update, or modernize their livestock operation infrastructure or equipment in 2020 or early 2021 may be eligible for grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
The department plans to award a total of $768,000 during this time frame. Grants would be awarded for 10 percent of a proposed project’s value, up to $250,000.
The nine-page application is straightforward, with the instructions explicitly asking applicants to avoid getting too technical.
Applications will be judged on 11 criteria. Farmers get points for being new, if the project is part of a generational transition, and if the project addresses a natural disaster, among eight other issues. Applicants will be awarded 10 percent of the points for having a complete and coherent application.
The grant will not pay for the purchase of livestock, buying pasture/crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.
Updates to your operation are an important risk management tool. Diversification can help ensure livestock production remains a part of your resilient operation for years to come.
All applications must be received by 4 p.m. CST on Dec. 18.
The application can be found at mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agri-livestock-investment-grant
