Applications will not be moved from full grant into mini grant, applications will only be considered at the level they are submitted.
Both the mini and full grant applications will be judged on their merit. The mini grants will be judged first and half of the funds are reserved for these grants. Any remaining funds after the mini grants are awarded will be moved into the funds for the full grants.
The MDA expects to award $800,000 using a competitive review process.
No, you may not purchase from a direct family member with this grant. Direct family in this case is defined by Internal Revenue Code, section 267(c)(4) which includes, spouse, sisters and brothers including step-sister and step-brothers, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren.
No, you may not purchase from a direct family member with this grant. Direct family in this case is defined by Internal Revenue Code, section 267(c)(4) which includes, spouse, sisters and brothers including step-sister and step-brothers, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren.
The project cost can exceed the grant amount. You can suggest using the funds for a portion of a purchase or infrastructure improvement, and then it would be beneficial to explain your plan for financing the remainder of the expenses.
The project cost can exceed the grant amount. You can suggest using the funds for a portion of a purchase or infrastructure improvement, and then it would be beneficial to explain your plan for financing the remainder of the expenses.
"Incubator farm" means a farm where:
(1) individuals are given temporary, exclusive, and affordable access to small parcels of land, infrastructure, and often training, for the purpose of honing skills and launching a farm business; and
(2) a majority of the individuals farming the small parcels of land grow industrial hemp, cannabis, or one or more of the following specialty crops as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop block grant program: fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops, floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
This definition was provided by the Minnesota State Legislature.
In scoring an application, an applicant is given up to 10 points for meeting the definition of experiencing limited land access, which includes farming on an incubator farm.
"Incubator farm" means a farm where:
(1) individuals are given temporary, exclusive, and affordable access to small parcels of land, infrastructure, and often training, for the purpose of honing skills and launching a farm business; and
(2) a majority of the individuals farming the small parcels of land grow industrial hemp, cannabis, or one or more of the following specialty crops as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop block grant program: fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops, floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
This definition was provided by the Minnesota State Legislature.
In scoring an application, an applicant is given up to 10 points for meeting the definition of experiencing limited land access, which includes farming on an incubator farm.
Yes, as long as this is an activity related to a beginning farmer's business, and not a personal hobby.
Yes, as long as this is an activity related to a beginning farmer's business, and not a personal hobby.
It is true that what you look at during the application period regarding used listings may no longer be available when the grant is awarded. We understand that, and it is still useful to quote specific used equipment listings in your application so that you can show the market value of what you are proposing to buy.
It is recommended to save the quotes into a document and upload it as an attachment using the button for attachments under the “Budget Narrative” text box. This is in case the listing is gone before the review committee tries to access it online.
