Next Stage Grant from Mill City Farmers' Market Charitable Fund

Applications for the 2025 Next Stage Grant cycle are now being accepted through March 1st, 2025! The Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund (located in downtown Minneapolis) designed the Next Stage Grant to provide funding to local, regenerative farmers and other food producers who are improving sustainable farming and business practices or growing toward the "next stage" of their local food businesses.

Since 2013, we have awarded over 153 Next Stage Grants totaling over $473,000. Applicants do not have to vend at MCFM to apply but need to vend at a farmers market and be located in Minnesota or within 200 miles of Minneapolis.

Next Stage Grants range from $1,000 to $7,000, and examples of past projects include season extension, cold storage for produce and flowers, support for transitioning to organic certification, equipment to bring new products to market, and experimenting with new tools and techniques.

Click here to learn about the requirements and access the application link. Grants are awarded in early April. Application assistance is available - if you have any questions, please email or call me at 612-326-5097.