There is no specific definition of specialty crops and grains for the RFSI program. Crops and agricultural products are eligible for RFSI grants if they:
- Are intended for human consumption.
- Are not meat or poultry.
- Are not federally controlled as illegal drugs (e.g., cannabis).
The purpose of the RFSI grant program is to invest in infrastructure for aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of "locally and regionally produced food."
Your project should be primarily focused on activities involving locally and regionally produced food and activities that will benefit local and regional producers. It is acceptable for projects to include some products or ingredients that are not locally or regionally produced, as long as you can demonstrate the use of other local or regional products and the benefit to local and regional producers.
For example, a value-added hummus product that mostly uses Minnesota-grown chickpeas, but also includes some non-local ingredients such as tahini and olive oil, would be an acceptable product under the RFSI program.
Products are not required to be grown in Minnesota to be eligible. However, projects will be scored based on their potential impact on Minnesota agriculture and will receive additional priority if they involve Minnesota-produced dairy, annual/perennial grains, fruits/vegetables, dry beans, or aquaculture.
The purpose of the RFSI grant program is to invest in infrastructure for aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of "locally and regionally produced food."
Your project should be primarily focused on activities involving locally and regionally produced food and activities that will benefit local and regional producers. It is acceptable for projects to include some products or ingredients that are not locally or regionally produced, as long as you can demonstrate the use of other local or regional products and the benefit to local and regional producers.
For example, a value-added hummus product that mostly uses Minnesota-grown chickpeas, but also includes some non-local ingredients such as tahini and olive oil, would be an acceptable product under the RFSI program.
Products are not required to be grown in Minnesota to be eligible. However, projects will be scored based on their potential impact on Minnesota agriculture and will receive additional priority if they involve Minnesota-produced dairy, annual/perennial grains, fruits/vegetables, dry beans, or aquaculture.
Your project should be primarily focused on foods that are eligible for the RFSI program. It is acceptable for projects to include some products or ingredients that are not eligible, as long the primary ingredients are eligible.
For example, a value-added cheese product that includes a small amount of bacon as flavoring would be an acceptable product under the RFSI program, but you may only request funds for the activities and expenses relevant and proportional to cheese production and not for bacon processing.
Your project should be primarily focused on foods that are eligible for the RFSI program. It is acceptable for projects to include some products or ingredients that are not eligible, as long the primary ingredients are eligible.
For example, a value-added cheese product that includes a small amount of bacon as flavoring would be an acceptable product under the RFSI program, but you may only request funds for the activities and expenses relevant and proportional to cheese production and not for bacon processing.
USDA defines aquaculture as the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions throughout part or all their lifecycle — this does not include wild-caught seafood or fish. Equipment and infrastructure for the processing, aggregation, or distribution of aquaculture as an agricultural product are eligible.
The production of fish, shrimp, shellfish, or other aquatic life — including in fish hatcheries — or the marketing of fish and other aquaculture products aren’t eligible because these activities fall outside the “middle of the supply chain."
USDA defines aquaculture as the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions throughout part or all their lifecycle — this does not include wild-caught seafood or fish. Equipment and infrastructure for the processing, aggregation, or distribution of aquaculture as an agricultural product are eligible.
The production of fish, shrimp, shellfish, or other aquatic life — including in fish hatcheries — or the marketing of fish and other aquaculture products aren’t eligible because these activities fall outside the “middle of the supply chain."
Yes. Honey, eggs, and dairy are allowable animal products for the RFSI program. However, the cultivation/extraction of honey is considered harvesting, and is not eligible for grant funding.
Bottling and further processing of honey (such as creaming or creating a value-added product) would be considered eligible middle-of-the-supply chain activities. In the case that the proposed facility serves both harvesting and processing functions, the applicant may only apply for funds for the portion of the facility and equipment used for the middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
Yes. Honey, eggs, and dairy are allowable animal products for the RFSI program. However, the cultivation/extraction of honey is considered harvesting, and is not eligible for grant funding.
Bottling and further processing of honey (such as creaming or creating a value-added product) would be considered eligible middle-of-the-supply chain activities. In the case that the proposed facility serves both harvesting and processing functions, the applicant may only apply for funds for the portion of the facility and equipment used for the middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
No. Plants and products for human consumption that are federally controlled as illegal drugs (e.g., cannabis) are ineligible for this program. This includes THC and CBD derived from hemp, as these extracts are not considered food products. Food products produced from hemp, such as hemp hearts or hemp protein powder, are allowable.