MDA Value Added Grants now available

$1 million available to increase sales of agricultural products

St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $1 million through the competitive Value Added Grant Program. Funding for the grants was established through the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Program to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.

The Value Added Grant program seeks to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by diversifying markets and increasing market access and food safety of value-added products.

“We’re excited to see what kinds of projects will be represented in this round of applications,” said MDA Grant Specialist Julianne LaClair. “The Value Added Grant program helps drive sales of Minnesota agricultural products, which can bolster farmers of all kinds, all over the state.”

New or established for-profit businesses may apply for funding to purchase equipment or make physical improvements. Applications that have a meat processing or marketing component, or address a food safety plan will receive priority.

Grant funds reimburse up to 25 percent of the total project cost with a maximum award of $200,000 and a minimum of $1,000. Equipment purchases and facility improvements are eligible.

Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Applications are available at http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTcwNzIxLjc2MTg4MzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MDcyMS43NjE4ODM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTM5ODIwJmVtYWlsaWQ9aW5mb0ByZWRsYWtlbmF0aW9ubmV3cy5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWluZm9AcmVkbGFrZW5hdGlvbm5ld3MuY29tJnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/valueaddedgrant.aspx and may be submitted online, by mail, or in-person.