The AGRI Dairy Farm Improvement Grant assists dairy producers in maximizing their profitability through investments necessary to produce Grade A milk.

Eligibility and Funding Priorities

Eligible applicants must be principle operators of dairy cow operations that are currently producing Grade B milk or are Grade A milk producers who need to make capital or operational improvements to ensure continued compliance with the Grade A requirements.

This grant program only reimburses the cost of equipment, services, or physical improvements that will help the dairy operation to meet requirements for Grade A milk production as established by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.

Preference will be given to projects proposed by applicants who:

• Utilize development resources such as the Dairy Business Planning Grant, the Dairy Profitability and Enhancement Team, and the Farm Business Management program;
• Demonstrate excellence in conservation through certification in approved programs;
• Are veterans of the United States Armed Services;
• Can clearly identify how this investment will serve to improve the economic health of their operation.

You must be invoiced and pay for all project materials and services between April 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020.

Amount Available

The MDA anticipates awarding at least 25 grants totaling $250,000 in grant awards. Applicants may apply for full reimbursement of up to $10,000 of their project’s total cost. The minimum grant award is $1,000 and the maximum is $10,000 per eligible applicant.

Applying

The application process begins March 15, 2019. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. CDT on May 1, 2019. Read the Request for Proposals to learn the full grant details and apply online. If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact the program administrator.

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agri-dairy-farm-improvement-grant