Grant funds still available for farms, agricultural processors to help support COVID-19 safety efforts

MEDC Grants provide resources for Michigan's food production industry

LANSING, MI — Applications for grant funds are still available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant and the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant programs for farmers and agricultural processors throughout the state. In tandem, the grant programs aim to help both large and small Michigan farms, as well as agricultural processors, mitigate the risks of COVID-19 across the state’s food production industry.

“We want to make sure that our farmers and food processors are aware of the resources available to them,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “The health and safety of Michigan’s food and agriculture workers will be even more important over the next few months as crops are harvested and products make their way to grocery store shelves.”

The Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program utilizes up to $15 million of federal CARES Act funding to provide much-needed assistance to Michigan’s agricultural processors and farms for their COVID-19 mitigation efforts. These include but are not limited to testing costs, personal protection equipment, facility needs, increased sanitation costs, employee training, and upgraded safety procedures for farm-provided housing. To qualify for grant support, applicants must be a farm or agricultural processor located in Michigan and have a minimum of 10 employees in Michigan.

The MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant Program provides $1.25 million in grants to farms with fewer than 10 employees to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs. These include but are not limited to testing costs, personal protection equipment, facility needs, increased sanitation costs, employee training, and upgraded safety procedures for farm-provided housing.

”As we continue to utilize every resource possible to ensure economic relief and recovery in industries and communities across the state, the funding provided through the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants and the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grants will help small farmers and processors cover necessary costs needed to ensure the safety of their employees and the state’s food supply,” said Mark A. Burton, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Details, eligibility requirements, and applications for both grant programs can be found at michiganbusiness.org/agsafety.

Related links:

Grant Program Information and Applications

Press Release: Application Now Live for Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program

Press Release: $1.25 Million in New Grant Funding Available from Michigan Economic Development Corporation to Assist Michigan's Small Farms Implement COVID-19 Safety Measures

Press Release: MDHHS Issues Order Requiring Testing of Agricultural and Food Processing Employees to Protect Health and Safety of Workers, Community

Emergency Order Under MCL 333.2253 - Mandatory Testing, Preventative Measures, and Safe Housing for Agricultural Workers (.pdf)

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.