The details below are for the 2024-2025 AFREC RFP. The proposal will close December 6, 2024.
Notice of Request for Proposal
The MDA is requesting proposals for directing fertilizer research and outreach programs. The Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program for directing fertilizer research and outreach program. The enabling legislation establishing the governing Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) is Minnesota Statute 18C.70 and 18C.71. The Minnesota Legislature also established the funding mechanism for the program. This year, up to $1,200,000 generated by fertilizer sales from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, is available for this Request for Proposals (RFP). Any organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive funding. This includes farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, urban agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities.
Eligible Projects
Eligible project activities include research that addresses one or more of the activities as defined by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program Minnesota Statute 18C.71. These activities include research, education, technology transfer related to the production and application of commercial fertilizer, soil amendments, and other plant amendments. AFREC’s goal is to have projects selected and contracts executed prior to the 2024 cropping season. As directed by the 2024 state legislature, the council updated research priorities and requested guidance related to: (1) the availability of nitrogen by manure type and livestock species based on management; and (2) manure management and fertilizer best management practices for areas where surface water or groundwater are vulnerable to nitrate losses.
Request for Proposal
The full request for proposals will be listed under Forms + Resources on October 14, 2024.
Questions
Please email questions to Margaret Wagner at Margaret.Wagner@state.mn.us.
Questions will be accepted until November 26, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Answers will be posted on the AFREC RFP Questions and Answers portion of the AFREC Grant webpage.
Questions should not be submitted through other means. MDA employees are not authorized to provide advice on any applications. Applicants who solicit or receive advice from unauthorized MDA employees may be disqualified from eligibility for a grant award.
Submission of Proposal Deadline
Grant applicants are required to submit proposals through the MDA online application system. To view and submit the application, users are required to use an existing account or create a new account in the system. Once a new account is created and verified, or returning users are logged into an account, please select the "Apply" button for the "AFREC Grant Fiscal Year 2025".
All applications must be received online by 11:59 p.m. CST, on December 6, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. The MDA is not responsible for any technical or logistical problems resulting in the MDA not receiving the application on time. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that submission is received by the MDA before the deadline.
This request does not obligate the State to award or complete the work contemplated in this notice. The State reserves the right to cancel this RFP if it is in its best interest. All expenses incurred in responding to this notice are solely the responsibility of the responders.
