Here are some common questions about the AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant.
If you have questions that are not addressed here or in the request for proposals (RFP), email them to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "AGRI Urban Agriculture" in the subject line. We will post all questions and answers on this page.
General Questions
Projects serving tribal communities located within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land are eligible regardless of population size – and are not required to meet the additional eligibility requirement of being located in or serving communities located in a city with a population over 5,000.
At this time, we only need a personal attestation that none of your current board members or staff with authority to access grant funds have been convicted of felony financial crime in the last 10 years. There is a question about this on the application.
Each application is evaluated in full by reviewers using the project evaluation profile in the RFP. All members of the committee review those evaluations.
Project & Location Eligibility
No, you would not be eligible to receive funds to start a retail food business through the AGRI Urban Agriculture grant program.
There is no issue with applying for multiple grant programs through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Yes, this project would be eligible to apply for the AGRI Urban Agriculture grant program as long as it was located in or served children located in eligible locations as defined by the RFP.
No, an event that draws an audience of 5,000+ people does not meet the eligibility requirements for the AGRI Urban Agriculture grant program. In order to qualify for this program, applicants must be located in or serve communities that meet one of the following criteria:
- Cities with a population over 5,000, or
- Located within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land and serving tribal community members, regardless of population size.
Yes, multiple cities could collaborate on a project for the AGRI Urban Agriculture grant program. Each of the cities will still be required to meet one of the following location requirements for this grant program:
- Cities with a population over 5,000, or
- Located within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land and serving tribal community members, regardless of population size.
Post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply for an AGRI Urban Ag grant. The entities included in the RFP are examples of who can be funded, but are not exclusive. So long as the project is focused on youth urban ag education or urban ag-based community development, and meets the other eligibility requirements, it would be eligible.
The AGRI Urban Ag grant does not allow IDC as a part of this grant.
Timeline
All expenses must be incurred and paid for by May 14, 2028.
