Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

The Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant is a state-funded initiative administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). It is designed to support new and emerging farmers in Minnesota by providing financial assistance for critical infrastructure and equipment purchases. The grant program was created to reduce financial barriers for beginning farmers and promote long-term sustainability and growth within the state’s agricultural sector. The Minnesota Legislature established the program through statute (Minn. Stat. 17.055), with current funding authorized under the Laws of Minnesota, 2025, Chapter 34, Article 1, Section 2, Subdivision 4(f). The program serves a dual purpose: to strengthen farm businesses and to increase equitable access to farming opportunities, particularly for individuals with limited access to land and markets. The program offers reimbursement-based grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The total amount available for awards in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 is approximately $700,000. Reimbursement is tiered: applicants requesting $2,000 or less are eligible for full reimbursement, while applicants seeking more than $2,000 may receive up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at $10,000. Grantees must provide matching funds for the remaining 25% of the total project cost. Matching contributions can include cash, loans, or other liquid capital assets, but cannot include other state grant funds. Applicants must submit documentation of both expenditures and match contributions when requesting reimbursement. Eligible uses of funds include agriculture-specific equipment such as tools or machines used to grow crops, raise livestock, or store farm products, and farm infrastructure projects like water systems, fencing, electrical installations, walk-in coolers, livestock handling systems, barns, greenhouses, and grain storage facilities. Ineligible expenses include general-purpose vehicles or office supplies, residential improvements, indirect costs, in-kind contributions, and any costs incurred before contract execution. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2027, and must not begin before the grant contract is fully executed. The grant is open to individuals who meet specific criteria. Applicants must be principal operators on farms in Minnesota, have entered farming within the past 10 years, and have demonstrable farming experience. Only individuals may apply—entities are not eligible unless the individual is applying on behalf of an authorized business structure. Applicants must also demonstrate compliance with state laws, tax filings (including Schedule F for 2024 or a 2025 substitute), and good standing with the state. Only one application per farm is accepted, and past recipients of this specific grant are ineligible to reapply. Applications are submitted through an online portal and must be received by 4 p.m. CT on March 26, 2026. Applicants must register and complete the online form, which includes eligibility affirmations, project descriptions, and detailed budgets. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure all questions are answered fully. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered. A public information session will be held on February 19, 2026, to answer applicant questions and provide guidance. Awards are determined through a two-phase competitive review process. Phase one consists of a scoring-based evaluation by internal and external reviewers. Phase two includes a pre-award risk assessment requiring financial documentation. Applications are judged on alignment with program goals, potential for long-term impact, clarity of budget, and alignment with priorities such as land and market access. Notifications of award decisions are expected between May and June 2026, and contract execution may begin shortly after. Projects are expected to start between June and July 2026 and must be completed within one year of contract execution. Grantees are subject to ongoing reporting, financial reconciliation, and post-award monitoring. Equipment purchased with grant funds must not be sold for at least three years from the date of reimbursement.

Submit early; align proposal with scoring rubric; avoid ineligible costs.