ST. PAUL — Minnesota farmers can apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's grain storage facility safety cost-share program to buy, ship and install safety equipment for on-farm grain bins or silo.
The goal is to make appropriate safety more affordable for farmers, and the program will reimburse up to 75 percent of the cost.
“We’ve seen many tragedies in the recent past around grain bin accidents and I can tell you each one is devastating to a family and a whole community,” Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said in a news release announcing the availability of the funds.
The program will pay up to $400 per bin or silo with a limit of $2,400 per farm per year. Farmers may apply anytime through June 30, 2021, or until all $50,000 of the funds are exhausted. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible safety equipment includes fall protection systems, engineering controls that prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts, dust collection systems, personal protective equipment, air quality monitors and other equipment that is approved by the state Department of Agriculture.
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For more information, visit the program web page at mda.state.mn.us .
