The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant Program.

Qualifying producers would be reimbursed ten percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment. Producers who suffered a loss due to a natural disaster or unintended consequence may also apply. The grant will not pay for livestock or land purchases or for the cost of debt refinancing.  Safety improvements would be an appropriate use of grant funding, as long as they are livestock related.

Application Deadline: December 16, 2016

ELIGIBILITY:
A Minnesota livestock farmer fulfilling this criteria:

• in good standing with the state of Minnesota (no back taxes),
• current Minnesota resident or entity authorized to farm in Minnesota,
• principal operator of the farm (actively involved in the operation of the farm),
• project expenses will be incurred between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

The Livestock Investment Grant was first funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008. Since then, 572 grant recipients have invested an estimated $193 million in improvements to their operations.