Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an efficient and widely used source of nitrogen fertilizer.
Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their operation are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding approximately $1.3 million using a competitive review process.
Applications for the grant will be accepted until 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2022. A second round will open only if the MDA does not receive enough quality applications in this first round. The MDA will issue a second RFP if there are any remaining funds by spring 2023. Unsuccessful applicants for this round will be able to reapply if a second round is offered.
All principal operators of livestock farms in Minnesota are invited to apply, including those who have received grants in the past. Only one application will be accepted per farm. Preference will be given to applicants/farms that have not previously been awarded a grant.
Livestock Investment Grants encourage long-term industry development in Minnesota’s $7 billion livestock industry. Grant funds are available for equipment purchases, physical improvements, and acquisition of facilities used to start, improve, or expand livestock operations in the state of Minnesota. Funding for the grants comes through the AGRI Program to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.
Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their project’s total expense, with a minimum expense of $4,000 and a maximum expense of $250,000. Grant awards can range in size from $400 to $25,000. Only expenses incurred after the grant contract has been signed by all parties are eligible for reimbursement. MDA expects to have contracts to grantees by early 2023.
Applicants must use the MDA’s online application portal to apply for the grant.
More information about the grant can be found on the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant website.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is hosting a waste pesticide collection event on Monday, October 24 for those in Anoka and Hennepin counties. Through this free event, homeowners, businesses, and farmers can safely dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides.
The program accepts unwanted and unusable agricultural and consumer-type pesticides including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and rodenticides. However, crop oils, adjuvants, pesticide rinsate, fertilizer, treated seed, contaminated soil, and empty pesticide containers are not accepted.
The event will be held on Monday, October 24 from 9-11 a.m. at the Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station, 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55455.
The collection is open to farmers, homeowners, commercial pesticide applicators, golf courses, lawn care companies, structural pest control operators, and other pesticide users. No pre-registration for the MDA events is required, and collection sites will accept up to 300 pounds of eligible product at no cost. However, the MDA requests pesticide users call 612-214-6843 to provide advance notification if they wish to drop off more than 300 pounds of product.
The MDA has collected approximately 10 million pounds of pesticide around the state since the Waste Pesticide Collection Program started in 1990.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
A new Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) grant is helping 44 Minnesota service stations offer customers more and greener options at the pump.
The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program is awarding over $6.4 million to offset the cost of investing in upgraded retail petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks, and other equipment compatible with motor fuel containing higher blends of ethanol. Retail fuel locations receiving funds will be able to offer Unleaded 88/E15 — fuel containing a 15% blend of ethanol — and other higher blends.
Funding for this program is made available through a legislative appropriation for the 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. An additional $1 million in funding for the Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program was provided by Minnesota Corn, made up of the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council and Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
“These grants help the local economy by giving drivers more economical options at the gas pump and increasing access to homegrown fuel that comes from Minnesota farmers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We’re also helping our environment when we increase the use of ethanol blends that burn cleaner than fossil fuels. Thanks to the Minnesota Legislature and Minnesota Corn, we can invest in these projects that benefit all Minnesotans.”
Continued growth in sales of higher blends of ethanol like Unleaded 88 show that Minnesotans want a choice at the pump that saves money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves air quality, said Minnesota Corn Promotion & Research Council Chair Doug Albin. “Minnesota Corn is pleased to partner with MDA through this grant program, allowing local fueling stations to expedite upgrading their systems to dispense Unleaded 88. We work to find ways to expand access to Unleaded 88 for drivers across the state, helping Minnesotans save money at the pumps while and reduce emissions through the cleaner-burning fuel,” Albin said.
The 44 grantees are receiving awards that range from approximately $83,000 to $199,000 – the maximum for an individual project. All grantees are Minnesota retail petroleum stations with no more than 10 sites. Access a full list of the grantees here.
Visit the MDA’s AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant webpage for more information on the program.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us