The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the 2025 Produce Safety Mini-Grant to support Minnesota produce farmers in improving their on-farm food safety systems. This grant is part of the MDA’s Produce Safety Program and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) under CFDA 10.170. The grant program focuses on reimbursing farmers for eligible expenses that enhance produce safety practices on their farms.

A total of approximately $42,400 is available for the 2025 grant cycle. Eligible farmers can apply for reimbursement of up to $800 per farm, with no matching funds required. However, applicants should be aware that due to recent Executive Orders, federal funding for this program may be reduced or canceled. Importantly, publishing the request for proposals (RFP) does not guarantee that MDA will award all available funds.

To qualify, applicants must be produce farmers who operate in Minnesota and have grown and sold at least one of the following crops in 2024: leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, or tomatoes. Applicants must also have completed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program Grower Questionnaire (or verified their farm’s Produce Safety Rule status with MDA) at least once between 2022 and 2025. Farmers must also be in good standing and not debarred or suspended from receiving state or federal funds.

Eligible expenses for reimbursement must relate directly to improving on-farm food safety systems and must fall within one of the following categories: water testing for generic E. coli (pre-harvest and/or post-harvest), supplies for building or purchasing a portable handwashing station (subject to pre-approval), supplies for building or purchasing a portable produce washing station (also requiring pre-approval), harvest totes, sanitizer for wash water and food contact surfaces, carts and pull wagons, market containers, and waxed boxes. Eligible expenses must occur between November 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025.

Awardees will be selected through a randomized lottery process, which includes four rounds. The first three rounds prioritize applicants who have completed FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Training or GAPs training, farms confirmed to be fully covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and beginning farmers. The fourth round will consist of all remaining eligible applicants. The MDA reserves the right to adjust the selection process to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Applications are due by March 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Paper applications must be postmarked by March 22, 2025, and received by April 5, 2025. Awardees will be notified in May 2025 and must submit all reimbursement documentation by June 30, 2025. Awardees will also need to register as vendors within the State of Minnesota’s SWIFT payment system. They will receive a 1099 tax form, as the grant award is considered taxable income.

Applicants can submit applications online or by paper through email (ProduceSafety.MDA@state.mn.us) or mail (Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Attention: Produce Safety Program - Mini Grant, 625 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55155). For questions, applicants must contact the Produce Safety Program by March 14, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Questions should be directed to ProduceSafety.MDA@state.mn.us or 651-539-3648. MDA also welcomes feedback on the grant process, which can be submitted via email before October 31, 2025.