Minnesota State Wire

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has launched a grant program aimed at supporting new farmers with equipment and infrastructure costs. In its inaugural year, the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant awarded 97 grants totaling $856,833 across 45 counties in Minnesota.

Despite the substantial funding provided, demand for the grant far exceeded the available resources. A total of 1,100 eligible applicants sought $18.6 million from the program, highlighting a significant need among beginning farmers.

"Minnesota needs its next generation of farmers to thrive, and reducing the hurdles that prevent beginning farmers from becoming profitable is key to that effort," stated MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. "Besides securing land, getting the necessary farming equipment and infrastructure is a huge hurdle."

The selection process was competitive, with applications reviewed by a committee based on criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals. Grants of up to $20,000 were awarded to cover various equipment and infrastructure purchases.

The funded projects include fencing for 16 applicants; specialty crop equipment for 15 applicants; tractor purchases for 11 applicants ranging from small walk-behind tractors to larger row crop tractors; livestock chute systems for nine applicants along with feeding and watering systems; water access improvements and irrigation equipment for eight applicants; new infrastructure projects like high tunnels and storage structures; as well as improvements to existing facilities such as barns and feed lots. Other funded needs include items like a soybean head, GPS technology for tractors, bee hives, grain transfer systems, hay balers, and Christmas tree farm equipment.

Eligibility requirements mandated that applicants be beginning farmers residing in Minnesota who are actively farming within state borders and are in good standing with state regulations.

For further information or media inquiries, Larry Schumacher from MDA Communications can be contacted at 651-201-6629 or via email at Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us.