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Lasso Grant Writing Support

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Free Grant Writing Support

We’re excited to announce a continued program with Lasso. Our program’s goal is to increase our dairy farmers’ awareness and access to public funding opportunities for on-farm projects.

The Lasso team will be your grant writer in a box: for your farm and project of interest, they will identify, apply for, and manage grant opportunities on your behalf. Reach out to nicole@joinlasso.com or molly@joinlasso.com or call (312) 833-7726 for more information.

If selected for this program, you will receive the Lasso grant-writing services for free.

Why Lasso?

Thinking about upgrading your farm or launching something new? You could qualify for thousands of dollars of grant funding, and Lasso is here to help you win it.

Over $1 million in funding has been secured for Midwest dairy farmers just like you.

Here’s how they make it easy:

  • Lasso finds the right grants for you. Local, state, and federal programs you may not even know exist.
  • Lasso guides you through the process. From gathering documents to submitting reports, they’ve got your back.
  • Lasso will write and submit your application. Their expert team handles the paperwork and knows how to win.
  • Lasso saves you time and stress. No confusing forms or chasing deadlines. They do the heavy lifting.
  • Lasso specializes in dairy. Robotic milkers, value-added products, manure management, and more, they’ve done it before.

Whether you’re planning a project this year or just exploring your options, Lasso will help you figure out what funding is available and how to get it.

Benefits to You

By participating in this program, you can access more funding with minimal time investment. Lasso will:

  • Identify opportunities across federal, regional, state, and local grants that could support participants and their upcoming projects
  • Help participants receive funding without the headache and time-consuming paperwork of putting an application together
  • Make sure all participants complete their requirements both before submitting the application and after receiving the award
No upfront cost to get started. Email nicole@joinlasso.com or molly@joinlasso.com to learn more or start your application. The earlier you reach out, the better your chances.

To Participate In This Program

  • Be open to government grants
  • Have a project in mind (details below) with potential installers / vendors / service providers identified
  • Be open to appear as a case study for Midwest Dairy
    • Note: Only high level information would be included (e.g., context, project type, result and benefit from grant funding)

Working with Lasso

Typical steps of working with Lasso:

  • First: they talk to you to get context on your farm and proposed project to understand your operations and needs.
  • Second: they share all eligible funding from federal, state, regional and local sources – they go through the long list of requirements to make sure you are not only eligible but competitive.
  • Third: they put together the application from start to finish. They’ll manage all stakeholders, inputs needed, and narratives to create a high-quality application
  • Finally: Once you get the award, they’ll make sure all your i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed to help you get reimbursed as soon as possible.

Once you have selected a project, identified vendors / installers, and received at least 1 bid, we will be able to kick off your process.

First we pre-score applications. Once pre-scoring is done, we can advise whether it’s competitive and how to go forward. If we go forward, we sign an NDA with you and work on the application. We need a few documents from both you and the installer for a successful application, we can share a list these upon kicking work off on a project.

Grant Opportunities

Choose Iowa – Dairy Innovation Grant: This grant supports projects that expand dairy processing capacity, improve on-farm efficiency, or introduce new dairy products to the market. It is aimed at helping Iowa dairy businesses grow through innovation and modernization.

  • What it funds:
    • Equipment for on-farm processing or packaging
    • Facility improvements related to dairy innovation
    • Development or expansion of value-added dairy products
    • Marketing or branding initiatives for new dairy lines
  • Funding amount: Up to $100,000 per project. The grant covers up to 50% of the project cost or requires a one-to-one financial match from the applicant.

Choose Iowa – Value-Added Grant: This grant helps agricultural producers and processors in Iowa add value to their products through local processing, packaging, or market development. It supports efforts to bring locally grown or raised products—including dairy—to new markets.

  • What it funds:
    • Equipment and infrastructure for value-added processing
    • Packaging and labeling to meet retail standards
    • Development of new dairy or agricultural products
    • Branding, promotion, and direct-to-consumer sales tools
  • Funding amount: Up to $25,000 per project. The grant covers up to 50% of the project cost or requires a one-to-one financial match from the applicant.

AGRI Livestock Investment Grant: This program helps Minnesota farmers start, improve, or expand livestock operations by funding equipment purchases, facility improvements, and new construction.

  • Eligible project expenses include:
    • Buildings or facilities to produce livestock or livestock products.
    • Development of pasture for use by livestock, including but not limited to lanes, watering systems, and fences.
    • Equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management.
  • Eligible applicants must:
    • Be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota that produces and sells at least $1,000 of livestock products annually, or would normally sell at least $1,000 of livestock products in a typical year.
    • Be a resident of the state of Minnesota, a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota, or a unit of Tribal government.
    • Hold an appropriate feedlot registration when applicable.
  • Grant amount and terms:
    • Grant awards will range from $400 to $25,000.
    • The grant will reimburse 50% of the first $20,000 in eligible expenses, then 25% of eligible expenses, up to the maximum grant award of $25,000.
    • An individual or farm may only receive one grant in FY 2026.
  • Timeline:
    • The application deadline is November 13, 2025.
  • Priority will be given to:
    • Applicants who have farmed 10 years or fewer
    • Generational transitions
    • Producers of livestock for kosher or halal markets
    • Requests for robotic milking equipment
    • Applicants who have not previously received a Livestock Investment Grant
  • Miscellaneous:
    • The grant does not cover livestock, tractors, skid steer loaders, general purpose buildings, pasture or crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.

APUC Grant (Expected to open in October 2025): This grant helps North Dakota businesses and producers develop or expand uses for agricultural products through innovation, marketing, research, and diversification. It supports efforts to increase the value of North Dakota-grown ag commodities and grow rural economies.

  • What it funds:
    • Market research, feasibility studies, and commercialization plans
    • Equipment and process improvements for value-added products
    • Prototype development and technology applications
    • Diversification into non-traditional crops, livestock, or agri-tourism
    • Technical assistance for ag-related business growth
  • Funding amount: Grants typically cover up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a required 25% match (cash or in-kind). Most awards range up to $25,000 for technical or diversification projects.

ADD Grant (Next deadline: October 1, 2025): This grant helps North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and ag-related businesses invest in value-added agriculture projects that strengthen the state’s economy. It’s designed to support the launch or expansion of businesses that increase farm profitability, create jobs, and develop new ag markets.

  • What it funds:
    • Equipment purchases for processing, manufacturing, or product development
    • Facility construction or upgrades tied to value-added production
    • New ventures or expansions that use ND ag commodities in innovative ways
    • Projects that demonstrate economic feasibility and long-term sustainability
  • Funding amount: Grants are competitive and can be awarded up to $500,000, based on project scale. Funding is reimbursement-based and typically requires a detailed business plan, financial projections, and proof of matching funds or other capital commitments.

Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program (AEDP) Grant or Loan (Next deadline: October 1, 2025): This program helps Oklahoma farmers, ranchers, and ag entrepreneurs diversify their operations, develop value-added products, and strengthen rural communities. It offers both grants and 0% interest loans to support innovation, marketing, and infrastructure improvements in agriculture.

  • What it funds:
    • Farm diversification projects involving non-traditional crops, livestock, or agritourism
    • Product development, feasibility studies, and prototype planning
    • Equipment or facility upgrades to support value-added production
    • Agricultural events that promote education and market expansion
    • Projects led by veterans or young farmers (45 or younger)
  • Funding amount: Grants typically provide up to $10,000 per project, depending on the category. Larger projects may qualify for 0% interest loans. Matching funds are required, and reimbursement is based on documented expenses.

Apply Today with Lasso

Need help applying for these grant opportunities? Contact nicole@joinlasso.com or molly@joinlasso.com to get started. Lasso can help you prepare a competitive proposal and guide you through the application process. Reaching out early will give you the best chance of success.
Midwest Dairy’s collaboration with Lasso does not constitute an endorsement of their goods and services.
Holstein cows eating

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