Crop Research Grants Available from MDA

St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting grant applications for applied crop research that improves the agricultural product quality, quantity, or value of Minnesota’s $9.3 billion crop industry.

Applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program Crop Research Grant are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2022. The MDA anticipates awarding roughly $1 million in total.

Minnesota-based organizations with agricultural research capabilities may apply for the funding. Grants reimburse up to $250,000 of the cost of an applied research project that will provide results within three to seven years to benefit Minnesota agriculture, its producers, and associated industries.

Research projects with an outreach plan that addresses how activities or outcomes of this project meaningfully involves or informs underserved agricultural producers such as emerging farmers, and rural communities with limited economic opportunities will receive priority. In addition, preference will also be given to applicants researching crops that have limited access to other research funds.

The online application is available at the AGRI Crop Research Grant website.

Funding for the Crop Research Grant was established through the AGRI Program which provides grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

Brief descriptions of projects awarded this year follow.

2022 Crop Research Grant Recipients

Project Title Organization Name – Principal Investigator Grant Award Amount

Hemp Grain Characterization for Food Applications University of Minnesota – Sarah Swan Ray $249,714

Advancing New Technologies for Fungal Disease Control in Cultivated Wild Rice Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council – Beth Nelson $136,721

Seed Production and Ecosystem Services from Climate Smart and Cover Crops in NW Minnesota University of Minnesota – Nancy Jo Ehlke $249,963

Supporting New Farmers with Fresh Market Grape Production and Sales in Minnesota University of Minnesota – Matthew Clark $248,262

Accelerating the Development of Winter Barley Cropping Systems for Minnesota University of Minnesota - Kevin P. Smith $224,583

Biological Control for Soybean Gall Midge, a New Pest of Soybean in Minnesota University of Minnesota – Robert Koch $212,979