Minnesota Livestock Farmers Can Now Apply For 2026 Grant Money

I’m not a farmer, and I don’t claim to have intimate knowledge of the farming industry, but I do know that farmers are one of the key pieces of this country’s backbone. And you don’t even have to pay really close attention to know that the cost of being a farmer has done nothing but skyrocket, which of course impacts how many farmers stay with the way of life. 

That being said, any help that farmers can get only benefits everyone in America. 

Help Is On The Way For 2026

There is some help for Minnesota farmers from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Growth, Research and Innovation Livestock Investment Program, and the application process is now open for 2026. 

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There’s something new to the program this year, farmers can now get 50% reimbursement on the first $20,000 of eligible expenses. Farmers can also get 25% on additional expenses that do not qualify as eligible, up to a maximum grant amount of $25,000.  

These figures are higher than the previous cap amount of 10%.  

Grant awards are expected to total around $1.4 million, with grant amounts being sent out in varying amounts from $400 to $25,000. The Department of Agriculture says they will give priority to applicants who meet the following criteria: 

• Applicants who have farmed 10 years or fewer 

• Generational Transitions 

• Producers of livestock for kosher and halal markets 

• Those who have requests for robotic milking equipment 

• Applicants who have not received a Livestock Investment Grant in the past 

The deadline to enter is 4pm Central Time on November 13th. Get full eligibility requirements at this link.