CanGrow Farmer Training and Farmer Loan Grants
CanGrow farmer training and farmer loan grants will help eligible organizations provide educational resources, guidance, and low-interest loans for farmers who want to be part of the legal cannabis industry. While grants will be awarded to eligible organizations, Minnesota farmers will ultimately benefit by expert mentorship, compliance training, business planning resources, and low-interest loans.
Award amount
Total annual available funding is $2,970,000 in fiscal year 2026. Grant awards for technical assistance in the first round of funding are expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000 per project. Grant awards for loan financing are expected to range from $200,000 to $500,000 per eligible organization (individual farmer loans will range from $2,500 to $50,000 or up to $150,000 for projects with matching funds). OCM intends to fund investments in eligible communities throughout the state. This is a competitive grant program.
Grant timeline
The request for proposals/application window is closed. Any applications submitted after June 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. are ineligible for this round of grant awards. Please check back for future OCM grant opportunities and for further updates about the current grant process.
Grantees will be announced in fall of 2025, with projects starting shortly after. Funds must be used within a one-year period, with operations starting within 90 days of the award notice.
Objectives
CanGrow supports farmers navigating the legal cannabis industry by providing access to regulatory services and resources from trusted experts and community-based organizations. This initiative aims to accelerate market entry and growth for farmers ready to start or expand their farms, avoid costs and risks for farmers at all stages of readiness, and reduce compliance risks, costs, and infractions for cannabis farms.
The program has two focus areas:
CanGrow farmer training grants will fund eligible organizations to provide educational materials, training, and technical support to farmers who want to enter or expand into the legal cannabis industry. Project categories eligible for funding will be outlined in the request for proposals.
CanGrow farmer loan grants will fund nonprofit corporations to assist farmers by providing low-interest loans for entering the legal cannabis industry.
Grants will support communities disproportionately affected by the enforcement of cannabis laws, identified as where residents are eligible to be social equity applicants. Learn more about social equity qualifications.
Eligible organizations
For Farmer Loan Grants
- Nonprofit corporations
For Farmer Training Grants
- Nonprofit organizations
- Federally recognized Tribes
- Educational institutions
- Local units of government
- Private businesses
- Community groups
- Partnerships between different types of organizations
Priority will be given to applications from organizations that demonstrate a history of successful training or navigation services, particularly for farmers facing barriers to education or employment. OCM will give weight to applications where the proposed grant projects will serve areas where residents are eligible to be social equity applicants.
Minnesota Statutes
For more information, go to Minnesota Statutes, section 342.73.
Webinars
Learn more about the CanGrow request for proposals process by watching a recording of an informational session at the links below:
Contact
For questions, email grants.ocm@state.mn.us.