Minnesota State Wire

Applications are open for two funding programs from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) targeted at aiding value-added businesses and livestock product processors. The aim is to help these entities start, modernize, or expand their operations to boost sales of Minnesota agricultural products.

The programs in question are the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant and the Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing (MPEM) Grant. These grants offer financial support to businesses for equipment and physical improvement projects that can enhance production capacity, diversify markets, and improve market access for their goods.

Eligible applicants should be planning or actively engaged in processing Minnesota agricultural products. This also includes those involved with livestock slaughter or processing, covering meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. Potential grantees can be individuals such as farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nonprofits, educational institutions, local government units, or Native American Tribal governments. Additionally, they must be based or reside in Minnesota and be authorized to conduct business there.

The MDA plans to distribute about $2 million across these programs in 2025, utilizing a competitive review process. The grants can range between $1,000 and $150,000. Recipients are required to match funds, providing 50% cash for the first $50,000 of project expenses and 75% for any amount above, up to the $150,000 limit.

Priority will be given to projects that enhance food safety, increase hemp fiber processing capacity, improve access to kosher or halal markets, or focus on meat or poultry processing capacity, particularly slaughtering.

Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, through the MDA’s online system.

For further details and to apply, interested parties are directed to visit the AGRI Value-Added Grant and Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant webpages.