How are grain facilities licensed in the U.S.?
U.S. grain elevators providing storage for grain owned by farmers or others are generally
required to have a warehouse license to conduct business. This warehouse license may be
issued by either the federal U.S. government or the state government. Some states have a
grain merchandising license (sometimes called a grain dealer license). The federal
government has no merchandising licensing requirements for facilities. For example,
relevant license requirements for grain buyers and storage providers can be found at:
1. US Department of Agriculture, Warehouse Act regarding grain storage:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=coop&topic=was-ua
2. Idaho: www.agri.idaho.gov
3. Michigan Department of Agriculture: www.michigan.gov/mdard/
4. Minnesota Department of Agriculture: www.mda.state.mn.us/
5. Montana Department of Agriculture: www.agr.mt.gov/
6. Washington Department of Agriculture: www.agr.wa.gov/