During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, lawmakers approved an $88 million budget for agriculture and several new or expanded programs. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says several of those programs are now available to farmers and ranchers in the state. The Livestock Investment Grant allows livestock producers to get a ten percent credit on facility improvements or modernization. “We have a lot of cattle producers use that, but its open to everyone whether you’re a deer farmer, raise horses, pigs or anything like that.” Grants are also available for soil health, noxious weed control, value added agriculture and meat processing. MDA is also working to stay connected with drought issues. Resources are available on the MDA website.
