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 will be posted here afterwards.

• 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.

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Can I save my progress in the application?

‍No, you will need to complete your application in one session. 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 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.

Does a restaurant qualify for this grant?

Only if the restaurant also produces the food it serves, for example, a farm that grows its own vegetables and makes and serves its own pizza onsite. This program is intended to support food producers and strengthen the local supply chain.