https://www.mda.state.mn.us/urban-farm-conservation-mini-grant

The MN Department of Agriculture’s Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant offers up to $5,000 for commercial urban farmers in Minnesota to implement conservation practices.

The intent of this grant program is to support commercial urban farmers to pay for equipment, materials, and services they may need to manage their farm’s soil, water, and plant and animal life with conservation in mind. Learn more about conservation basics for farmers and landowners from the funder of this grant, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS).

Funds Available

Applicants may request up to $5,000. The minimum request allowed is $500.

MDA expects to award $100,000 using a competitive review process. 

Please note: Grant funds are dispersed on a reimbursement basis. A grantee will need to pay for their expenses up front and then request reimbursement with proof of payment for expenses.

Eligible Applicants

Entities that 1) grow or raise farm products in an urban setting, and 2) sell those farm products, are eligible. This includes but is not limited to:

• For-profit businesses

• Nonprofit organizations

• Native American tribal communities

• Local government entities

• Schools and universities

Applicants must be:

• A commercial farm, meaning they sell at least $1,000 of their farm products annually.

• Based in a Minnesota location that meets one of the following criteria:

  • Farming or selling farm products in a Minnesota town with a population over 5,000, or

  • Farming within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land and serving tribal community members, regardless of population size.

• Able to provide proof of earning less than $300,000 in agricultural sales per year for the past three calendar years (2022-2024).

• In good standing with the State of Minnesota:

The application period closes Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 4 p.m. Central Time

Carefully read the full Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) (PDF) for eligibility and requirements. (If you have trouble opening the PDF, try another browser — Edge and Chrome work well.)

Apply for the Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant using our online application system.

• If you are a new user, you need to create an account first.

• Once you are logged in, select “Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant.”

• Contact us if you need this information in a different format.

https://www.skyhighfarm.org/grants

Sky High will award  $350,000 in grants (total) to individuals working in agriculture, food justice, and/or land sovereignty. The average proposal funded in 2025 was $11,000 with grants ranging from $1500 up to $30,000. Grant proposals should match the scope and capacity of the amount requested. Applicants who requested funding 2025 and did not receive a grant may resubmit applications for consideration.

WHO: Individuals or organizations working in agriculture, food justice, and/or land sovereignty. Applications will be prioritized among those who identify as: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, & AAPI, and other intersectional identities, including people who have recently immigrated, coming from or working in historically marginalized communities, or more generally, communities historically exploited and harmed by the existing industrial agricultural and banking systems. You do not need to be a 501c3 to apply or receive funding.

WHEN: The application will be open from December 1, 2025-January 20, 2026

HOW: Funding decisions will be made by an independent committee of farmers, food justice activists and key stakeholders working to create a more equitable food system.

TO APPLY: We have changed our application process! You may select to apply during the Emergency Grant Cycle (limited to up to $2000) or the Main Grant Cycle (you can apply for any amount but average grant award is $11,000). You can only apply in one cycle. Complete this Google form.

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/agri-beginning-farmer-farm-business-management-scholarships

MN Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Farm Business Management Scholarship program provides scholarships to eligible farmers in Minnesota to learn business management strategies that will lead to profitable and satisfying farming operations.

What is Farm Business Management?

Minnesota State Farm Business Management (FBM) is available through seven Minnesota State College and Universities. FBM instructors work one-on-one with farmer students to design a program that best meets their business and personal goals. Focus is on using quality records and sound business decisions using tools such as the FINBIN Farm Financial Database and the AgPlan Business Planning Program.

How does the program work?

We offer grants to the Minnesota State affiliated Foundations, who work with their respective colleges to award the scholarships to students.

FBM faculty and the Dean of the college review the applications and determine scholarship recipients.

Each scholarship pays up to 50 percent of tuition for up to 40 credits (after financial aid and any other grants). Amounts are determined as follows:

Up to 20 credits – 50%

21 to 30 credits – 40%

31 to 40 credits – 25%

To qualify, you must:

Be a Minnesota resident

Have fewer than 40 credits of FBM instruction

Own and operate a farm or ranch, wholly or in partnership with others, for 10 years or fewer

Have a financial interest in the farm

Participate in management decisions and operation of the farm on a regular basis

How do I apply?

To apply for a scholarship:

Find an FBM instructor, if you don’t already have one.

Work with your instructor to complete a scholarship application

Submit your application through your college website