Minnesota Launches $1 Million in Grants to Help Farmers Fight Avian Influenza, Extreme Weather

(KNSI) – Minnesota turkey and chicken farmers facing the ongoing threat of avian influenza now have access to state funding to strengthen their defenses against the devastating disease.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is offering up to $500,000 in grants to help livestock producers upgrade biosecurity measures on their farms. Individual farmers can receive between $500 and $10,000 through the AGRI Protect Grant program.

Eligible expenses include protective equipment, sanitation systems, and infrastructure improvements that reduce disease risk.

To qualify, farmers must provide a 20% cash match, though related time and labor costs can reduce that requirement by up to $2,000. Awards will be distributed through a competitive review process.

Minnesota’s poultry industry has been hit hard by multiple waves of highly pathogenic avian influenza in recent years, forcing farmers to depopulate entire flocks and costing the industry millions of dollars. Turkey farms have been particularly vulnerable, with Minnesota among the nation’s top turkey-producing states.

The state is also offering a separate AGRI Prepare Grant program with an additional $500,000 available to help livestock and specialty crop producers prepare for extreme weather events such as drought, flooding, and severe storms. Those grants also range from $500 to $10,000 but require a 50% cash match.

Applications for both grant programs are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15th, 2026.

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