MDA Value Added Grant application opens today

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for Value Added Grants. $1 million is available for equipment purchases or physical improvements through the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program.

In previous Value Added AGRI Grant rounds, a variety of businesses have received funding, including meat processors, creameries, wineries, processing facilities, farm co-ops, and food and feed manufacturers.

Value Added AGRI Grants have had significant impact for businesses like Apple Jack Orchards. General manager Kit Dekarski used grant funds to purchase a commercial convection oven, hood, and exhaust system, which allows the orchard to make all of their apple bakery products on the farm.

“The Value Added Grant Program has been an important partner for us,” said Dekarski. “We have more than doubled our apple bakery sales since our participation in the program.”

This competitive grant process will fund projects that increase the sales, diversify the markets, or improve food safety of value-added Minnesota agricultural products. Producers and handlers that increase the value of agricultural products through processing or manufacturing may be eligible.

Applications for this round of funding are open now through March 6, 2017. For more information about the Value Added Grant Program and to apply online, visit http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjI4LjY4MTM3NDgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIyOC42ODEzNzQ4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODg1MzIxJmVtYWlsaWQ9aW5mb0ByZWRsYWtlbmF0aW9ubmV3cy5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWluZm9AcmVkbGFrZW5hdGlvbm5ld3MuY29tJnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/valueaddedgrant.aspx or contact Ann Kuzj at 651-201-6028 or ann.kuzj@state.mn.us.

The AGRI Program was established by the Minnesota Legislature to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries. The AGRI Program focuses on creating jobs and profitable businesses in the areas of livestock investment, value-added business and market development, crop production and processing research, and renewable energy. For more information about the AGRI Program, visit http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjI4LjY4MTM3NDgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIyOC42ODEzNzQ4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODg1MzIxJmVtYWlsaWQ9aW5mb0ByZWRsYWtlbmF0aW9ubmV3cy5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWluZm9AcmVkbGFrZW5hdGlvbm5ld3MuY29tJnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/agri.aspx.