MDA offering grain storage safety cost-share program
The Grain Storage Facility Safety Cost-Share helps Minnesota farmers buy, ship, and install eligible safety equipment for on-farm grain bins or silos.
Amount Available
We have approximately $50,000 for this program in Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). Funding comes from the Minnesota Legislature and private donations.
This program reimburses 75 percent of eligible expenses up to $400 per bin or silo and with a limit of $2,400 per farm per fiscal year.
- Examples:
You have five bins and spend $4,500 on grain level monitors, harnesses and safety lines, and dust collection systems. You’re eligible for a refund of $2,000 (5 bins x $400). If you have six bins and spend $4,500, you’re eligible for the maximum refund of $2,400 (6 bins x $400). - You have two silos and spend $800 on respirators, harnesses, and equipment lockouts. You’re eligible for a refund of $600. To get the full amount you’re eligible for, you would need to spend $1,066.67 (75% x $1,066.67 = $800).
Eligible Applicants
Minnesota farmers
Eligible Equipment
Eligible equipment includes:
- Fall protection systems
- Engineering controls that prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts
- Dust collection systems to minimize explosion hazards
- Personal protective equipment to increase survivability in the event of a grain-bin-related emergency
- Grain silo air quality monitoring equipment
- Other grain storage facility safety equipment with prior approval from the MDA
To be eligible, all equipment must be purchased and paid for after July 1, 2020.
Applying
We are accepting applications until June 30, 2021 or until funds run out.
- A farm can apply only once per fiscal year.
- The MDA processes complete applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
- We must receive all parts of the application before it’s considered complete.
- After your application is approved, it takes approximately two to four weeks to receive your payment.
Things you will need to complete the online application:
- Electronic copy(ies) of your proofs of purchase (receipts, paid invoices, or other proof that you purchased the items you are claiming for reimbursement)
- If there is sensitive information on the documents, cover or remove it before making .jpg, .png, or .pdf copies of your documents. We do not need to know your bank account or credit card information.
- Electronic copy of your IRS Form W-9, signed and dated
- If you don’t have this, you can complete a digital W-9 within the online application.
If you can’t apply online, contact the program administrator about other options.