The Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund (MCFM-CF) is committed to the success and sustainability of the local food economy. We designed the Next Stage Grant Program to support local, regenerative farmers and food producers who are improving sustainable farming and business practices or growing toward the “next stage” of their business.
In addition to our main grant program, MCFM-CF understands that the livelihood of a farm can be vulnerable to an array of extreme weather-related crop loss or other unpredictable causes of hardship. Our Hardship Grant Program is intended to provide crucial emergency funding while farmers work to recover and rebuild.
Since these programs began in 2013, we have awarded 153 grants to local and sustainable farmers and makers, totaling over $473,000 in project funding.
The Next Stage and Hardship Grant Programs are funded solely through community support. Each donation directly empowers the farmers and producers at the heart of our local food system, giving them the resources needed to create long lasting impacts for their family, community, and the environment.
Next Stage Grants range from $1,000 to $7,000. Past grants have funded season extension, wells & water access, gates & fencing, pack sheds and processing equipment, cold storage for produce and flowers, organic certification, and experimenting with new tools and techniques.
Hardship Grants provide emergency funding up to $2,000. Past grants have covered field crop loss and infrastructural repairs due to weather-related events like hail, drought and flooding, as well as family medical emergencies.
Through equipment, technology, research and other ways of capacity building that can increase yields, improve growing practices and support small businesses, farmers and makers are able to become more sustainable and successful. We have seen this hard work and innovation firsthand and know that these producers can be successful with a little help from their community.
“We’d like to express our gratitude for the support provided by the MCFM-CF Next Stage Grant Program. This project has highlighted that the possibilities are endless when it comes to new farming technologies. As climate change continues to pose challenges for traditional farming methods, we’re learning that technology can help us manage these issues and continue to grow food sustainably.
For market shoppers and program donors, we want to emphasize the impact of your support. Not only are you helping us grow better food, but you’re also supporting educational opportunities for youth and creating more accessible farming practices. Your support is helping to shape the future of sustainable agriculture.”
–Lillian Ogoamaka, Way of the Root Farm, received funding to purchase and install an urban hydroponic system in 2024
Applications for MCFM-CF’s 2024 Next Stage Grant cycle closed on March 1st, 2024. Grants are awarded in early April. For any questions please reach out to us at info@millcityfarmersmarket.org or 612-341-7580.
Farm or business…
The following may also be funded, but are subject to additional criteria relating to financial need defined by MCFM-CF’s ‘Financial Need Statement’ in the application documents below:
Email completed Application, Budget Template and Financial Summary to info@millcityfarmersmarket.org by March 1st, 2024.
2025 Next Stage Grant Information: ENGLISH, SPANISH, HMONG, SOMALI
Applying for the Next Stage Grant and wondering if your family income needs to fall under the 275% Federal Poverty Guidelines listed in the Financial Need Statement?
Demonstrated need is required for projects that are not, standing alone, charitable activity: purchasing depreciable equipment, like a tractor, or cap ex construction, like a fence or greenhouse.
IF your family does NOT fall under the 275% FPG, your project needs to have a significant research or education/outreach element so that it can be considered charitable activity.
Past examples of this have included:
The reason for all of this is that our grant program is funded by tax-exempt donations, so funds awarded also need to be tax-exempt charitable work. Please feel free to reach out to info@millcityfarmersmarket.org if you have any questions about these charitable guidelines or if you’d like to discuss project ideas.
The Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund (MCFM-CF) is committed to the success and sustainability of the local food economy. In addition to supporting farmers and food makers who are innovating and moving to the “next stage” of their businesses through our main grant program, MCFM-CF understands that the livelihood of a farm can be vulnerable to an array of extreme weather-related crop loss or other unpredictable causes of hardship. While these risks are inherent to farming, MCFM-CF’s Hardship Grant is intended to provide support of up to $2,000 while farmers work to recover and rebuild.
This grant program is sustained through the generosity of the market community with a goal to keep regenerative family farmers on the land, producing nourishing food for all.
Application Process
This grant is meant to be easily accessible for busy, hardworking farmers and small business owners. MCFM-CF staff is available to answer your questions, help you complete the application, and will provide translation if needed. For questions or assistance with your application, please contact us at info@millcityfarmersmarket.org or 612-341-7580.
Applications for our hardship grant program are accepted on a rolling basis, as funds are available, and typically are awarded within a month of receiving the application. Submit your completed application and financial summary via email to info@millcityfarmersmarket.org.
Mill City Farmers Market started its grant programming in 2013 as a way to support its farmers in times of extreme crop loss and other hardship, understanding that farms operate on tight margins and can be vulnerable to an array of unpredictable weather-related crop loss and infrastructure damage.
Within a few years, funds we raised for Hardship Grants at our annual Harvest Social dinner exceeded the amount requested by our vendors, and we were able to expand the program to support MCFM farmers who were looking to take their business to the next level and experiment with new crops, sustainable growing techniques and time-saving equipment.
The next big change came in 2018, after the inception of the Market’s Charitable Fund. With this sister organization, we have been able to expand the size of grant awards and the pool of grantees beyond Mill City Farmers Market vendors. Now, Next Stage and Hardship Grantees represent local farmers and food makers throughout the region who sustain our healthy, local food system.
As of the 2024 grant cycle, we have funded over 153 grants through these programs, totaling over $473,000 to local farmers and makers. Learn more about past projects below.
