MDA Offers Mini-Grant for Produce Growers
Reimbursement available for water testing, harvest totes, and other expenses
St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Produce Safety Mini-Grant. This funding opportunity helps reimburse produce growers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems.
The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $42,400. Awardees will receive reimbursement up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required.
To be eligible, applicants must farm in Minnesota and have grown and sold one or more of the following crops in 2024: leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, or tomatoes. In addition, applicants must have completed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Grower Questionnaire, or otherwise verified their farm’s Produce Safety Rule status with the MDA, at least once between 2022-2025.
Expenses must occur on or after November 1, 2023 or be planned to take place before June 30, 2025. Eligible expense categories include:
- Harvest totes
- Waxed boxes
- Market containers
- Carts and pull wagons
- Water testing for generic E. coli
- Sanitizer used for wash water and food contact surfaces
- Supplies to build or purchase a portable handwashing station
- Supplies to build or purchase a portable produce washing station
Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on March 22, 2025.
Additional information and the online application are available on the MDA website. Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 to request a paper copy.
Funding for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant was made possible by a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
Note: Due to recent Executive Orders, federal funding may be reduced or canceled. Publishing this request for proposals (RFP) does not commit the state to awarding any federal funds.
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