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Otter Tail County Receives $96,000 for Empowered Worker Program Expansion into Agriculture

By Derek Sidian Nov 10, 2025 | 11:54 AM

SashaKhalabuzar / Depositphotos.com

Otter Tail County, MN – Otter Tail County is among seven recipients of Minnesota DEED grants focused on developing and implementing agriculture-focused workforce training programs for its Growing Careers initiative. In total, DEED awarded $2.4 million in grants for the program.

Growing Careers grant recipients are eligible for up to $500,000 to develop training programs to help more Minnesotans enter agricultural careers, specifically dislocated workers, including those with low-income or who need assistance with basic skill development.

Otter Tail County was awarded $96,000 to expand its Empowered Worker Program, a workforce development program that provides training and supportive services. The program provides services to individuals to overcome barriers to employment and obtain and maintain high-demand, household-sustaining wage jobs, and Otter Tail County is proposing to expand these services for participants to seek training and employment in the agriculture industry.

Another local partner, Rural Minnesota CEP in Detroit Lakes, was awarded the full $500,000. The program will provide eligible participants with career exploration, occupational skills training, credential attainment and work-based learning experiences designed to lead to full-time employment at or above $20 per hour within Minnesota’s agricultural sector, focusing on Crop Production, Animal Production and Support Activities for Agriculture.

Agriculture-related careers are increasingly in demand in Minnesota, including the new legal cannabis sector. According to DEED’s Minnesota Occupations in Demand tool, demand for many farming-related careers is projected to grow at an above-average rate over the next 10 years, including:

  • Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians, up 14%
  • Industrial Truck and Tractor Drivers, up 5.8%
  • Supervisors of Farming, Fishing and Forestry Workers, up 4.5%
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