MDA grant helped the company expand, benefitting Minnesota's Ag economy

ST. PAUL, MN - Lt. Governor Tina Smith visited Cold Spring-based Mississippi Topsoils today, which received a Value Added Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Mississippi Topsoils, which makes soil products using agricultural byproducts, used the funding to install a climate-controlled storage warehouse. The upgrade allowed the company to expand its market, increase sales throughout the year, and allow for wintertime storage of green industry soil materials.

 

"Minnesota is a national leader for agricultural production. The Value Added Grant Program is helping build on our strengths by supporting Minnesota entrepreneurs who are creating new products using our state's agricultural resources," said Lt. Governor Smith. "Initiatives like these are smart ways to help support the growth of local economies in communities statewide."

 

Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature first invested in the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Program in 2012, which provides the funding for the Value Added Grant initiative. Since then, Governor Dayton and the Legislature have invested $4.5 million in the Value Added program - helping 153 small businesses and agricultural producers expand, creating 41 full-time and 60 part-time jobs across Minnesota. The grant funds up to 25 percent of projects with the rest coming from private investments, which totaled $14.8 million and a 3.29 to 1 return on the state's investment.

 

"The Value Added Grant was used to help build a climate controlled storage area for bulk grower mix ingredients like peat, aged bark, and compost," said Brad Matuska, Mississippi Topsoils owner. "Since most of the greenhouses in Minnesota start growing in late January and early February, the climate controlled area helped us enter into this market so that we could blend mixes for growers during the winter."

 

More about the Value Added Grant Program

The Value Added Grant Program focuses on areas of greatest opportunity and potential economic impact to create agricultural jobs, profitable businesses, and encourage development of value-added agriculture. The goal of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by diversifying markets, increasing market access, and increasing food safety. Farmers, agricultural businesses, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs with new business or market plans, diversification or expansion goals are the primary target for the program.

 

Minnesotans interested in applying for the Value Added Grant or other grants offered by the Department of Agriculture can find more information on the agency's website.