The Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant program provides an opportunity for commercial urban farmers in Minnesota to enhance conservation practices on their farms. Funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), this grant offers up to $5,000 per applicant to cover costs for equipment, materials, and services that improve soil, water, plant, and animal health. A total of $75,000 is available for allocation, with funds disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Farmers must pay for their expenses upfront and provide proof of payment for reimbursement.

The grant supports a wide range of conservation-related efforts, including soil improvement, nutrient and biology soil testing, composting facilities, cover cropping, crop rotation, water management systems, pollinator plant mixes, conservation-friendly weed treatment, and urban forestry initiatives. Projects like raised bed systems, mulching, rainwater management, and reduced tillage practices are also eligible for funding.

Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, tribal communities, local government entities, and schools or universities that operate commercial farms selling at least $1,000 annually in farm products. Applicants must be based within a Minnesota city with a population over 5,000 or on federally recognized tribal land serving tribal community members. They must also provide proof of earning less than $300,000 in annual agricultural sales over the past three years (2021–2023) and be in good standing with the State of Minnesota.

The application period runs from November 20, 2024, to January 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT). Interested farmers must submit their applications through the online system after creating an account. Detailed eligibility requirements and program guidelines are provided in the Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) document, accessible online. An information session will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at noon, with registration required. Language interpretation services are available upon request by December 9, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process by a committee that evaluates proposals based on criteria outlined in the RFP. Awardees will be notified of their selection by March 2025. For additional questions or assistance, applicants can contact Emily Toner at emily.toner@state.mn.us by January 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

This program is a valuable opportunity for urban farmers in Minnesota to adopt conservation practices that enhance sustainability and contribute to environmental health while ensuring the long-term productivity of their farms. Farmers are encouraged to apply early and attend the information session for guidance.