The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program, offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, supports urban youth agricultural education and urban agriculture community development within urban and peri-urban areas. This grant provides funding to help organizations and communities obtain the necessary materials and services to promote these goals effectively, ensuring sustainable and impactful development in urban agricultural spaces.

Eligible applicants for this grant include for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools or school districts serving preschool or K-12 students, local government entities, and Native American tribal communities. Projects must be located in or serve communities that meet specific criteria, such as being within cities with populations over 5,000 or within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land serving tribal community members. A full list of eligible cities and tribal areas is provided in the program’s Request for Proposals (RFP) document.

The grant funds a wide range of expenses, including the purchase and installation of equipment, capital expenditures for physical improvements or facility construction, personnel costs (including staff and contractors), transportation, and translation services. Projects must directly align with the program's focus on urban youth agricultural education or urban agriculture community development to be eligible for funding.

A total of $1.87 million is available for Fiscal Year 2025. Applicants can request funding between $5,000 and $75,000 per project, with no cash match required. This generous funding structure makes the program accessible to a variety of organizations seeking to create meaningful agricultural education and community development initiatives.

Applications are due by 4:00 PM Central Time on Thursday, January 30, 2025. To apply, organizations must use the department’s online application system. New users will need to create an account before accessing the application, titled "AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant 2025." Applicants are encouraged to review the 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) document to understand eligible expenses and prepare a strong application. Examples of past projects are also available for reference and inspiration.

For additional guidance or alternative formats of the application, applicants can contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This grant provides an excellent opportunity to foster agricultural education and urban community development, promoting sustainability and engagement in urban and peri-urban areas across Minnesota. Organizations are encouraged to apply early and ensure their proposals meet the program's goals and criteria.