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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is once again accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant. Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers looking to make improvements to their operations are encouraged to apply.

Livestock Investment Grant funds can be used for equipment purchases and physical improvements to help start, improve, or expand livestock operations in Minnesota. Examples of reimbursable investments include — but are not limited to — the construction or improvement of buildings or facilities for producing livestock, watering systems, fencing, feed equipment, and livestock waste management equipment.

The MDA will award up to $650,000 in this round of Livestock Investment Grants using a competitive review process. Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their project’s total cost, with a maximum grant award of $25,000. Only expenses incurred after the grant contract has been signed by all parties are eligible for reimbursement.

All principal operators of livestock farms in Minnesota are invited to apply, including those who have received Livestock Investment Grants in the past. However, preference will be given to applicants or farms that have not previously been awarded a grant. Only one application will be accepted per farm.

For the purposes of this program, livestock includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas. 

Applications for the grant will be accepted until 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Visit the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant web page to access the full request for proposals (RFP) for further eligibility details.

Funding for the Livestock Investment Grant is made available through the MDA’s AGRI Program, which administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with three other state agencies and organizations to offer free virtual suicide prevention trainings for rural faith leaders in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Clergy and lay leaders who serve congregations of all faiths and denominations are welcome.

“We recognize that faith is an important element in the lives of many farm families,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Teaching suicide prevention and intervention skills to trusted community members like clergy can help provide more emotional support for farm and rural residents."

The four-week Suicide Prevention Skills for Rural Ministry trainings will pair an online curriculum from LivingWorks Faith with weekly discussion sessions held via Zoom so participants can deepen their learning in a pastoral context with their peers.

The trainings will teach faith leaders how to recognize and engage with someone who is having suicidal thoughts, connect that person to help, and support family and community members who have been affected by suicide. LivingWorks Director of Faith Community Engagement Glen Bloomstrom will facilitate the trainings with support from other team members.

The trainings will be offered during three different sessions starting April 16, April 18, and September 17. Interested participants must enroll for their preferred cohort by April 5, 2024, at www.mda.state.mn.us/clergytraining.

Program partners include Farm Well Wisconsin, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Financial support for these trainings comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, under agreement number 2023-38640-39573 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC23-227. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us