Rural Field to Market Grant

For-profit, small- or mid-sized food and farm business. This may include:

• producers
• processors
• aggregators
• distributors
• other businesses within the food supply chain

The program supports all types of products and market channels such as specialty crops, livestock, poultry, dairy, grains, fish, and agritourism activities. Non-food revenue streams from by-products or co-products such as leather, ornamental, etc. are also allowable.

Allowable expenses include pre-and-post harvest related business activities. This includes:

• equipment or supplies associated with expanding production
• staff time
• business planning
• software implementation
• processing and packing equipment

Land and new building construction is NOT an allowable expense.

Businesses must be in operation for at least 3 years and located within the Entrepreneur Fund’s 16-county Minnesota region, which includes these counties and Native nations that share geography: Aitkin, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior  Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

EFund will award grants up to $20,000 to selected applicants through a competitive process. We anticipate up to 25 awards and a total of $450,000 in grants.

Scoring criteria includes:

• Increase Revenue: Demonstrate a pathway to increase business revenue and overall business viability. Up to 10 points

• New Markets: Create or enhance markets, market awareness or access to value-add products. Up to 10 points

• Project Need: Clear demonstration of how this grant will improve your overall business. Up to 10 points.

• Clear and concise budget: Demonstrate that all funding needed for project is secured. Up to 5 points

• Federal Funding disruption: Current recipient of federal funding that supports similar efforts that are frozen. Up to 5 bonus points  

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• Informational webinars to be held January 6 at 11am and January 8 at 3 pm. A recorded version of the webinar can be viewed here.

• The grant application opens on Monday, January 12.

• Applications are due Monday, February 16 by 5 pm CST. Late applications will not be accepted.

• Questions regarding the application should be emailed to info@efund.org no later than Monday, February 9. Please allow up to 3 business days for a response.

• Recipients will be notified via email by April 1.

• Selected grantees will complete a background check and grant agreement prior to funding being released.  

• Funding must be expended by August 30, 2026.

• Recipients will be required to provide a final project report that includes quantitative and qualitative information about their project.

• Recipients may be asked to participate in promotional activities such as a photo, testimonial, interview, or video shoot.

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Our commitment to your business goes beyond this grant. We’re here to support your growth and success. For over 35 years, the Entrepreneur Fund has supported small business owners through flexible financing, expert advising, and business-building programs. 

• Financing: Small business loans for renovations, equipment, inventory, and working capital. We collaborate with financial partners on gap financing, commercial real estate loans, and relief funding. Industry-specific solutions are available for sectors like food production and local grocers.  

• Advising: Expert guidance on financial projections, cash flow, pricing strategies, marketing, growth planning, and more.

• Resources: Access to tools, technology, and business-building programs that strengthen operations and position your business for long-term success.

We are committed to supporting businesses like yours that feed our communities. For more information on our services, resources, or next steps with the Rural Field to Market Grant, visit efund.org or contact us at info@efund.org or 218-623-5747.

Grant Webinar Recording: EFund hosted two webinars in early breaking down everything you need to know about this grant, including eligibility requirements, application steps and how it aims to support the local food system and economic growth. You can watch a recording of one of those webinars below. Answers to the Q&A session can be found in Section 5: Frequently Asked Questions.

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Can I save my progress in the application?

You will need to complete your application in one session. You cannot save it and return to it later. Please make sure you have all the required documentation ready before you begin. You can review the questions and materials needed by downloading [this PDF].

What is a small- to mid-size farm and food businesses?

A small to mid-sized farm or food business is generally defined as having annual gross cash farm income under $350,000 for small farms and $350,000–$999,999 for mid-sized farms (USDA).

Are farms that file taxes using a Schedule F eligible to participate? Or is an LLC required?

Yes, farms using Schedule F or Schedule C are eligible. An LLC is not required, as long as other criteria are met.

Are cooperative businesses eligible for this grant?

Yes. Cooperative businesses are eligible; however, they must include their most recent 1120-C tax return with the application.

How should part-time employees be reported?

‍Calculate total hours for all part-time employees and convert to full-time equivalents (FTE). Report the average wage for those employees.

Does a restaurant or bakery qualify for this grant?

It depends. This program is designed to support food producers and strengthen the local supply chain. If your business sells products sourced directly from farms or produces its own ingredients, you may be eligible. Please contact us to review your specific situation.

Can a nonprofit apply for this opportunity?

This grant is limited to for-profit businesses located within our Minnesota service region.

I’m purchasing a large piece of equipment, and the grant will only cover part of the cost. What proof is required to show I can fund the rest?

Provide a bank statement showing you have sufficient funds to complete the project. This confirms you can cover the remaining cost beyond the grant amount.

Can this grant be paired with a loan from the Entrepreneur Fund?

Yes, this grant can be paired with a small business loan, or potentially a Healthy Food Fund loan, from the Entrepreneur Fund. Please contact us and we will be happy to talk through this option with you.

My farm is in Minnesota, but I live elsewhere. Am I eligible for this grant?

Yes, as long as the farm is located within EFund's Minnesota service region and the business is registered in Minnesota.

Are high tunnels or greenhouses eligible? Or is this considered new construction?

For this grant, with the goal to expand markets, revenue, and access to local food - this sounds like it would typically fall under equipment, not construction. If the structure isn’t on a permanent slab, it’s usually considered equipment rather than construction.

Are hemp products eligible for this grant?

The program supports a wide range of products and market channels, including specialty crops (such as hemp), livestock, poultry, dairy, grains, fish, and agritourism. Non-food revenue from by-products or co-products—like leather or ornamental goods—is also eligible. Cannabis, however, is not an allowable product.

Is this a matching grant? Will funds be paid after the project is complete?

No, this is not a matching grant—no additional funds are required. We are hoping to award and issue grant funds in late spring or early summer. Recipients will need to submit a progress report in early fall, as the program aims for a quick turnaround. Refer to section 3. Timeline and Selection above for more details.

What is the total funding amount available for the grant program, and how many grants are expected to be funded?

The program has $450,000 in total funding. Individual grants are up to $20,000, with an estimated 25–30 grants expected to be awarded.

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