The application for the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program is closed.
The government of the destination country is the entity that determines if a Certificate of Free Sale is required. The MDA does not make the determination and does not maintain a current list of requirements for foreign countries. Please consult your contacts within the destination country to determine if a Certificate of Free Sale is required.
The government of the destination country is the entity that determines if a Certificate of Free Sale is required. The MDA does not make the determination and does not maintain a current list of requirements for foreign countries. Please consult your contacts within the destination country to determine if a Certificate of Free Sale is required.
- Ensure Certificate of Free Sale submission is complete and includes:
- Completed application form
- Payment (in the form of a cash, check, or money order)
- Product label(s)
- Self-addressed express mail return label (Optional. Returned via US Mail otherwise.)
- Any supplemental documents you feel may expedite the process
- Use an express delivery service such as FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority Mail to send Certificate of Free Sale submission to the MDA Cashier at the address listed above.
- Additionally, email the following to Feed.Free.Sale.Certs.MDA@state.mn.us :
- High quality, legible copy of all product labels
- A copy of the return mailer PDF
- A copy of the completed Certificate of Free Sale application form
- Certificates are processed within five to ten business days as long as all previous invoices issued by the MDA are not overdue (30 days).
- You may choose to be emailed an invoice which, when paid, will allow the issuing of the certificates(s). Invoices may be paid online by bank debit or credit card.
- Payments by mail are limited to cash, check, or money order.
How do I pay in invoice?
- You will be emailed an invoice with information on how to pay online.
- The PIN required to make an online payment is at the bottom of the invoice.
Yes, you can request up to three Certificates of Free Sale per application with no additional fee. All certificates are identical, written on the MDA letterhead, signed, and notarized.
A consignee is the firm or person in the destination country that the product is being shipped to or otherwise is overseeing delivery of the product into the destination country.
The government of the destination country is the entity that determines if a Certificate of Free Sale is required. The MDA does not make the determination and does not maintain a current list of requirements for foreign countries. Please consult your contacts within the destination country to determine if a Certificate of Free Sale is required.
Applications will soon open for the latest round of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Soil Health Financial Assistance Program grants.
The grants are available to individual producers, producer groups, and tribal and local governments to purchase or retrofit soil health equipment. Grant awards will provide up to 50% cost-share, with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum award of $45,000. The 2024 Legislature appropriated $2.375 million for grants statewide, along with an additional $495,000 available for grants in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties. The MDA will begin accepting applications August 1.
"Specialized, expensive equipment can be a barrier for farmers wanting to implement soil health practices, so it’s important we invest in programs like the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program grants,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “The soil health benefits we see to water quality and our other natural resources go beyond a farm’s border and can have a positive impact on many Minnesotans.”
Examples of eligible new or used equipment include, but are not limited to, no-till drills, air seeders, strip tillage units, and more.
The Request for Proposals and the application link can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/soilhealthgrant once the application opens on August 1. Applications are due August 30, 2024. Awards will be announced by January 1, 2025.
This is the third round of Soil Health Financial Assistance Program grants. The second round awarded over $2.3 million to 81 individuals and organizations across Minnesota. No-till drills, air seeders, and strip tillage equipment were among the most requested pieces of equipment. The second round received more than 280 applications for more than $8.4 million – over 3.5 times the funding available.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The MDA is gathering ideas as we consider the 2025 legislative session, and we want to hear from farmers, businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems. The portal will open the week of July 29 and close at midnight on Friday, August 16.
Note that all submissions will be reviewed and considered; however, not everything can be included in a final legislative proposal.
Yes. As long as the person or entity purchasing the equipment is in Minnesota and the equipment will be used in Minnesota, it can be purchased from somewhere out of state.
Yes. As long as the person or entity purchasing the equipment is in Minnesota and the equipment will be used in Minnesota, it can be purchased from somewhere out of state.