These 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.
Total annual available funding is $2 million in fiscal year 2025. 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.
The request for proposals/application timeline is expected to be announced in early 2025.
CanGrow will support 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 will have 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 where residents are eligible to be social equity applicants. Learn more about social equity qualifications.
For Farmer Loan Grants
For Farmer Training Grants
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.
For more information, go to Minnesota Statutes, section 342.73.
For questions, email cannabisequity@state.mn.us.
