The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is taking applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Urban Agriculture Grant.

The MDA will award up to $300,000 to eligible applicants to encourage urban youth agricultural education and/or urban agriculture community development.

In previous rounds of this highly competitive grant program, funds have gone to stimulate urban agriculture across Minnesota, from Saint Paul’s Eastside to Duluth and from Virginia to North Minneapolis. The MDA expects to award 50 percent of the available funds to projects located in or serving communities of color or Native American tribal communities.

Applicants may request a maximum of $50,000 per project, and up to 100 percent of the total project cost may be covered by the grant. Up to half of the award may be requested as an advance.

For-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, local government entities, and Native American tribal communities may be eligible to apply for this grant. Eligible project expenses include equipment purchases and physical improvements, and dedicated staff/contractor time.

Proposals must be submitted prior to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/urbanaggrant for more information.

---

Read this story and more in Autumn Ag, available Friday, August 30 in the Austin Daily Herald.