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MN Department of Agriculture - Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant OPEN


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.

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December 1

Skyhigh Grant Application OPEN