AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program

The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, promotes urban youth agricultural education and community development in urban areas. With a total funding of $1.87 million available this fiscal year, grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 can help organizations obtain necessary resources. Eligible projects must support urban agriculture initiatives and can be located in cities with populations over 5,000 or on tribal lands, fostering resilience in local agricultural economies.

The AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant Program encourages urban youth agricultural education and urban agriculture community development within the city limits of urban or peri-urban areas.
Grants help organizations and communities obtain the materials and services necessary to successfully promote urban agriculture, youth education, and community or economic development through urban agriculture.
NEW: In fiscal year (FY) 2026, there are two funding opportunities:
The Community and Economic Development Grant is for projects that directly support community development or increase economic vitality through urban agriculture. Projects must benefit multiple growers or community members.The Youth Education Grant will support projects that focus on starting or growing agricultural-based education programs from early childhood through post-secondary and young adult-aged students.
Projects
Eligible grant projects must directly support the goals of promoting urban agriculture youth education or urban agriculture community development. Projects must be located in or serve communities that meet one of the following criteria:

• Cities with a population over 5,000, or
• Located within the boundaries of federally recognized Tribal land and serving Tribal community members, regardless of population size.
• You'll find a list of eligible cities and Tribal areas in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

Eligible grant expenses include but aren't limited to the purchase and installation of equipment; capital expenditures (costs incurred to make physical improvements to or construct a facility); personnel (staff/contractor) time; transportation costs; and translation costs. community members, regardless of population size.
Funding
A total of $1.93 million is available in FY 2026. Applicants may request between $5,000 and $75,000 per project. A 25% cash match is required. The MDA will reimburse up to 75% of project costs.

Eligibility

For-profit businessesNonprofit organizationsSchools or school districts serving preschool or K-12 studentsLocal government entitiesNative American tribal communities