Tag: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

2023 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Winners Announced

St. Paul, MN: Six Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2023 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). This year’s winners include: “We thank these grocers and their employees for their leadership in highlighting locally…
Read more


February 21, 2023 0

Dispose of holiday greens and Christmas trees correctly to protect Minnesota’s trees and forests

St. Paul, MN: Holiday greenery and Christmas trees bring joy throughout the season, but they can also hide dangerous hitchhikers. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into our landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states. To protect our environment, the State of Minnesota is asking residents to properly dispose…
Read more


December 22, 2022 0

New Grant Brings Meat Cutting and Butchery Training to MN Students

A grant round has opened up to train more butchers and meat cutters thanks to $350k in funding from the State Legislature.  The grants will come through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the Meat Education and Training grant program. Secondary school career & technical education programs are eligible to apply for the grants, which…
Read more


December 8, 2022 0

Funds Available to Update Livestock Operations

St. Paul, MN: Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their operation are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding approximately $1.3 million using a competitive review process. Applications for the grant will be accepted until 4 p.m. on…
Read more


October 2, 2022 0

Sustainable Agriculture Grant Funding Available

Apply by December 8, 2022 St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $250,000 to demonstrate and publicize the energy efficiency, environmental benefit, or profitability of sustainable agricultural techniques or systems, from production through marketing. The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program’s Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant program will accept…
Read more


September 26, 2022 0

Expanded Grants Bring Locally Grown Food to Schools

St. Paul, MN: Minnesota school districts aiming to increase their purchase of fresh, locally grown, nutritious foods in school meal programs can apply for one of two grant opportunities through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Applications are also being accepted for equipment purchases that support Farm to School initiatives. Through the MDA’s Local Food…
Read more


September 26, 2022 0

Organic Certification Cost Share Program Increases Affordability of Certification

St. Paul, MN: Minnesota organic farmers and processors can apply for a rebate of up to 50% of the cost of their organic certification. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for the Minnesota Organic Certification Cost Share Program from now until November 1, 2022. Organic certification is a third-party verification system. It…
Read more


September 19, 2022 0

Survey Seeks to Gather Data on the Local Food Supply Chain in Minnesota

St. Paul, MN: If you’re a Minnesota business sourcing and distributing or serving food, the Statewide Cooperative Partnership for Local and Regional Markets led by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (UMN) wants to hear from you this fall. A supply chain survey designed and implemented by the Partnership of…
Read more


September 4, 2022 0

USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to Minnesota

RELEASE FROM USDA AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Minnesota. This USDA grant will help the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) fund projects that enhance the competitiveness…
Read more


August 25, 2022 0

Drought Relief Checks Begin Mailing This Week

RELEASE FROM MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: St. Paul, MN: Checks to Minnesota livestock farmers and specialty crop producers who applied for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2021 Agricultural Drought Relief Program (ADRoP) will begin to be mailed this week. A total of 2,922 out of 3,000 received applications were approved, totaling $18.9 million in eligible requests.…
Read more


August 24, 2022 0