AGRI Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture administers the Agriculture Growth, Research, and Innovation program, which was established to advance Minnesota's agricultural and renewable energy industries. Through the AGRI Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant, the department provides assistance to Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers seeking to make their operations more resilient to drought, flooding, hail, storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and other extreme weather. The program is intended to encourage producers to proactively purchase and install supplies or equipment that reduce production risks associated with extreme weather. Beginning farmers, defined for this program as farmers who have been principal operators for 10 years or less, receive specific priority in the competitive review process. Approximately $500,000 is expected to be awarded through this competitive funding round, with individual awards ranging from $500 to $10,000 and approximately 50 to 60 grants anticipated. The grant reimburses up to 50 percent of a project's total eligible cost, corresponding to eligible project expenses between $1,000 and $20,000, and requires a 50 percent match. Matching resources may include cash, loans, other grants, and liquid capital assets dedicated to the project, but State of Minnesota grant funds cannot be used as matching funds. Non-forgivable State loans may be used. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis after eligible work has been completed and paid for, and reimbursement requests must include proof of purchase and proof of payment. Eligible applicants must be Minnesota residents, business entities authorized to farm in Minnesota, or units of Tribal government. Applicants must be principal operators of Minnesota livestock or specialty crop operations and the farm must sell at least $1,000 of livestock or specialty crop products annually, or normally sell at least that amount in a typical year. Applicants must be in good standing and cannot be suspended or debarred from doing business with the State of Minnesota or federal government. MDA employees, their spouses, and farms owned or principally operated by them are ineligible. Eligible livestock operations include operations raising animals for fiber, meat, animal by-products, or breeding stock, while eligible specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, and floriculture. Eligible applicants may collaborate with another farm, although collaboration is not required. Projects must increase the resilience of a Minnesota livestock or specialty crop operation against extreme weather, include the required matching resources, be conducted in Minnesota, and be completed within three years or less. Examples include water tanks, pipelines, water wagons or trailers, wells and well improvements, irrigation equipment, livestock pond work, portable pasture fencing, fans, misters, livestock shade systems, windbreaks, lane improvements, hoses, soil moisture sensors, nozzles, rain barrels, and cover crops, as applicable to the type of operation. General-purpose equipment and buildings, livestock, animal feed, crop or pastureland, refinancing debt, indirect costs, fundraising, most wages and benefits, cash-paid expenses, out-of-state construction, certain travel expenses, and expenditures incurred before the grant agreement is fully executed or after it expires are among the ineligible costs. Applicants were required to use the MDA online application system, create an account if they were new users, log in, and select AGRI Prepare Grant FY26. Only one application per farm was permitted, and incomplete or late applications were not accepted. Application information includes applicant and authorized representative details, farm operation and organizational structure, livestock or specialty crop information, eligibility attestations, project title, farm description, project description, project need, weather-resiliency explanation, project impact, long-term sustainability, beginning-farmer information, a detailed project budget and budget narrative, documents supporting project costs and the ability to finance the project, and a work plan and timeline. Applicants could also provide up to three letters of support combined into one document. Project-cost documentation may include vendor quotes or estimates, financing commitment letters, and documentation showing sufficient cash reserves. Eligible applications are evaluated competitively by MDA staff and external reviewers. The 100-point scoring framework assigns 15 points to project description, 20 points to project need, 25 points to project impact, 5 points to long-term sustainability, 5 points to beginning-farmer priority, and 30 points to project readiness, budget, and work plan. Reviewers may recommend full or partial funding, with final award decisions made by the commissioner of agriculture. Geographic distribution, past performance as a State grantee, compliance history, and financial and operational capacity may also be considered. Applicants are notified in writing and may request a summary of reviewer comments. The application period opened November 24, 2025, and applications were due by 4 p.m. Central Time on January 15, 2026. Written program questions were due by 4 p.m. Central Time on January 12, 2026 and could be sent to MDA.agrigrants@state.mn.us with Prepare Grant in the subject line. Help with the online application system was available through the same email address or at 651-201-6500. All applicants were expected to receive notification of their grant status in early April 2026, with grant contracts expected to start in early May 2026. Agreements may last up to three years, with an anticipated final end date of April 30, 2029 and no extensions beyond the three-year limit. Successful applicants cannot begin grant-funded purchases, contracting, or work until the grant agreement is fully executed, has reached its effective date, and the State's authorized representative has notified the grantee that work may begin.

Clearly describe the project and the specific extreme weather risk; show that the project directly improves weather resiliency rather than serving as a general farm improvement; explain short- and long-term impacts; use materials or practices that remain useful from year to year; document all project costs; explain how the non-reimbursed share will be financed; explain why the grant is important to completing the project; include adequate planning and quotes; provide a realistic work plan; submit early because late or incomplete applications will not be evaluated.