Grants available for value-added agricultural enterprises

Minnesota agricultural producers and processors can now apply for grants to implement value added projects to their operations.

A total of $700,000 in funding was made available through the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Program (AGRI), established by the legislature to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will distribute the funds through its AGRI Value Added Grant Program which aims to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by diversifying markets and by increasing market access and food safety.

The grants will be distributed in two rounds. Round one applications must be received by the MDA no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 31, 2012. Round two applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 1, 2013. Applications are available at www.mda.state.mn.us/valueadded.aspx. For more information, contact David Weinand, MDA grants administrator, at 651-201-6646 or david.weinand@state.mn.us. For more information about the program: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/valueadded.aspx

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