Relief for Rural Communities and Family Farmers
Minnesota Resources
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
The MDA has compiled a list of helpful resources for Minnesotan farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MDA Specialty Crop Block Grant
The MDA has extended the application deadline for the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant to March 16, 2021. This is the result of additional federal COVID-19 relief funds granted to the program.
USDA Rural Development State Office
The USDA has rural development resources available specifically for Minnesota.
Federal Resources
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Resources on food assistance, farming concerns, the food supply chain, and more are available on the United States Department of Agriculture's COVID-19 webpage.
The United States Department of Agriculture has created a resource page specifically for farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on insurance, farm credit, and updates on the status of the currently closed Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). You can view these resources here, or also visit the USDA's Farmers.gov website for additional resources.
The Farm Credit Administration provides information about the Paycheck Protection Program and guidance for Farm Credit System institutions for making loans under the program.
USDA Rural Community Resources
The USDA provides financial resources and support for rural communities, residents and businesses through its Rural Development mission area.
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
The HRSA has provided a comprehensive resource page for rural communities related to CBD grant programs. Community-Based Division (CBD) grant programs provide funding to increase access to health care in rural communities and to address their unique health care challenges.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Resources regarding rural health care and rural maternal care during the COVID-19 pandemic are provided by the CMS.