- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
Engineering controls to prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts
- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
Other grain storage facility safety equipment with prior approval from the MDA
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
- Personal fall-arrest systems, such as ropes, anchors, connectors, deceleration devices, harnesses, etc. and their installation (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Fall Protection (PDF) and OSHA Fall Protection Systems)
- Installing guardrail systems on existing ladders, roofs, and platforms (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Equipping existing fixed ladders with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Replacing grain bin ladders with stairs (see Ohio State University Extension – Ohio AgrAbility info)
- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
Disclaimer
The MDA is merely the grantor of state funds for this program. Approval and reimbursement of funds by the MDA for equipment purchased by the grantee does not make the MDA liable or responsible for the use of such equipment or any injuries or claims that might arise from such use. The MDA is also not responsible or liable for the quality of or inability to use such equipment purchased under this program.
Today, Americans eat from one of the safest food supplies in the world.
March 11, 2025
Three community development organizations in Minnesota will receive grant funding to strengthen agriculture-focused financial services through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA)’s new Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Technical Assistance Grant.
The MDA awarded $270,000 in total to three CDFIs for the following purposes:
- African Economic Development Solutions: $80,000 to train staff on resources for farm businesses, establish partnerships with agriculture-related organizations, and create new loan products, programs and policies to serve farmers.
- Hmong American Partnership: $90,000 to increase staff expertise in agricultural financial services, enhance farmers’ knowledge through loan readiness workshops and technical assistance, and develop tailored loan products to fit the financial needs of farmers.
- Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC): $100,000 to strengthen their agricultural lending program through a new ag loan policy manual, a dedicated ag loan fund, technology and processes that deploy capital to farmers faster, and professional development for LEDC staff to better serve farmers.
Awardees for this grant are certified CDFIs who serve or intend to serve farmers in Minnesota and have participated in at least one U. S. Department of Agriculture grant or loan program. A certified CDFI is defined as a bank, credit union, microloan fund, or venture capital provider who has completed a certification process with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund.
The grants were offered to CDFIs in two main areas of technical assistance:
- Technical assistance provided by CFDIs to farmers (e.g. assisting farmers with loan readiness or expanding outreach efforts toward targeted groups with agriculture-focused financial services).
- Technical assistance for CDFIs to increase their own capacity to serve farmers (e.g. to develop their agriculture lending program or internal knowledge and processes as a foundation to provide financial services to emerging farmers).
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
