Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant

The Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant helps Minnesota farmers buy and install eligible safety equipment for on-farm grain bins or silos.

Fiscal year (FY) 2025 program changes

We’ve made a major change to the Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant program:

• As of June 4, 2024, you must have a fully signed grant contract agreement before you buy any project materials or services. Any expenses incurred prior to that date are not eligible for reimbursement.

If you already bought and installed equipment, contact us before applying to discuss eligibility.

Amount available

For FY 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), we have approximately $75,000 for this and the Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate programs.

• We review and score proposals on a first-come, first-served basis until the application period closes or we run out of funds.

In addition to this funding from the Minnesota Legislature, we can accept donations from the private sector.

Grant amount

• You may request up to 75% of eligible expenses up to $400 per bin or silo.
• There is a limit of $2,400 per farm per fiscal year.
• Farms may submit only one application per fiscal year.
• Payments are issued on a reimbursement basis and not in advance.

Read the reimbursement examples below to understand how much you could receive.

Eligible equipment

Equipment must be purchased and paid for between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026.

• Project materials and services cannot be purchased until after a grant contract agreement has been signed by all parties and has reached its start date.
• We recommend that you use a reputable source for equipment and have systems installed by a qualified person such as a structural engineer or bin manufacturer.

Eligible equipment types include, but are not limited to:

• Fall protection systems
• Installing guardrail systems on existing ladders, roofs, and platforms
• Engineering controls to prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts
• Dust collection systems to minimize explosion hazards
• Personal protective equipment to increase survivability in the event of a grain-bin-related emergency
• Grain silo air quality monitoring equipment
• Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as NIOSH-approved respirators and hearing protection
• Other grain storage facility safety equipment with prior approval from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)

Read the eligible equipment details for examples of the types of safety equipment eligible under this grant.

Ineligible equipment

We will add to this list as we make decisions. Ineligible equipment includes:

• Grain condition monitors
• Aeration vents/roof vents
• Grain bin covers/lids
• Replacing worn-out electrical cords/outlets
• Truck stoppers and reflectors
• Camera systems
• Installing overhead electricity to bins
• Replacing entry doors

Many grain storage facility upgrades are important even if they don’t qualify for this year's cost-share program. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) to access low-interest financing for building or upgrading facilities to store commodities. Contact your local FSA office for details.

Applying

We are accepting applications from Minnesota farmers until May 15, 2025, or until funds run out.

• Carefully read the full Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility and requirements.
  • If you have trouble opening the PDF, try another browser – Edge and Chrome work well.
• Apply online.
  • If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
  • Once you are logged in, select "Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant.”

If you can't apply online, contact us for other options.

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Reimbursement examples

• You have five bins and spend $4,500 to install grain level monitors and handrails on each of them. You’re eligible for a refund of $2,000 (5 bins x $400). If you have six bins and spend $4,500, you’re eligible for the maximum refund of $2,400 (6 bins x $400).
• You have two silos and spend $800 on respirators, harnesses, and equipment lockouts. You’re eligible for a refund of $600 (75% x $800 = $600). To get the full amount you’re eligible for, you would need to spend $1,066.67 (75% x $1,066.67 = $800).
• You have eight bins and spent $8,750 to install platforms and guardrails on two of them, so you're eligible for $800 (2 x $400). You also purchased three fall-arrest harnesses for $350, so you're eligible for an additional $262.50 (75% x $350). Your total reimbursement would be $1062.50.

Do you have a scenario that's different than these? Contact us to find out how much you'll be reimbursed.

Eligible equipment details

As we approve equipment, we'll add that information to this list.