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As warmer weather settles in, farmers are busy planting crops, livestock are grazing on pasture, and farmers markets across the country are once again full of shoppers.
All of this activity means spring is finally here – it also means that deadlines for a variety of federal farm and food grant programs are fast approaching! For farmers, ranchers, and groups who work with producers, the next few months are crunch time for completing these applications on time.
In order to lessen the stress of application time, NSAC has compiled a list of upcoming deadlines for federal food and farm grant applications and grant assistance workshops. If you farm or work with farmers, consult this list and share with those you know.
Also, make sure to check out our Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs for more information on how to apply and examples of the types of projects and activities funded through each program.
Programs are listed below in order of deadline immediacy.
Southern SARE Graduate Student Grant Program – May 6
Full-time Ph.D. and Master’s students enrolled at an accredited institution in the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program region are eligible to apply to the Graduate Student Grant Program. Project maximum for Graduate Student Grants is $11,000 for up to three years of research. Application submission deadline is May 6, 2016 at 5 p.m. EST.
Conservation Innovation Grants – May 10
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) support the development and testing of promising new conservation technologies and approaches, with the goal of making them available for use as quickly as possible by conservation-minded farmers and ranchers nationwide. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award up to $20 million in competitive grants will be available through the CIG program to help these innovative farmers and ranchers develop pioneering conservation technologies and practices. Examples of past CIG projects, including awards to National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) member organizations, can be found on our blog. Proposals are due to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by 4p.m. EST on May 10, 2016 and must be submitted both electronically via the federal grants website and as a PDF to nrcscig@wdc.usda.gov.
Northeast SARE Graduate Student Grant Program – May 10
Applications are now open for project proposals for the 2017 Graduate Student Grant Program, a competitive grant for graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture for the benefit of farmers and agriculture service providers. Grants are capped at $15,000 and projects can run for up to two years. The proposal submission deadline is May 10, 2016 with awards to be announced in August.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Pre-Proposals – May 10
$260 million in funding is available for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Administered through NRCS, the program enable partner organizations to tackle very specific priority natural resource concerns in a given project area or to meet the needs of a given set of farmers. For the first time this year, NRCS will prioritize projects that help producers mitigate and adapt to climate change. Partner entities (generally, non-profit groups, conservation districts, or other state or local agencies) design and submit project proposals to NRCS. Once projects are approved, farmers and ranchers can then apply to participate in the projects in their area. Interested organizations should review the full Announcement for Program Funding. NRCS will hold a webinar to assist applicants with pre-proposals on April 27th at 5:00p.m. EST. Pre-proposals are due by May 10.
Western SARE Graduate Student Grant Program – May 11
Applications are now open for project proposals for the 2017 Graduate Student Grant Program, a competitive grant for graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture for the benefit of farmers and agriculture service providers. The proposal submission deadline is May 11, 2016 at 1:00p.m. PST.
Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program – May 12
USDA is now accepting applications for over $26 million in grant funding to strengthen local and regional food systems through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). FMLFPP provides grants on a competitive basis for a wide spectrum of direct-to-consumer and local food marketing projects. If you are interested in applying, please note changes to the 2016 RFAs. Application assistance for FMLFPP grants is available through the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) website. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 12, 2016.
Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program – May 12
The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) is a small competitive grants program designed to assist states with exploring new market opportunities through research and innovation. State agencies can apply for the FSMIP funds to conduct research projects in collaboration with non-profit organizations, community, or producer groups that solve practical marketing problems, including those facing small and medium-scale farmers. FSMIP application information can be found on the AMS website. The deadline for submitting an application to FSMIP in 2016 is May 12, 2016.
Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program – May 16
Through the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP), NRCS connects public and private partners in an effort to develop mutually agreed upon goals that will help strengthen agricultural operations by protecting and restoring wetlands. $15 million for wetland restoration partnerships with state and local governments, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations are available in FY 2016. Interested applicants can download last year’s partnership agreement to see what a WREP agreement will look like. Proposals must be submitted to NRCS state offices by May 16, 2016.
Western SARE Research and Education Grants – June 1
The Research and Education Grants program fund projects that usually involve scientists, producers, and others in an interdisciplinary approach. Many projects involve on-farm research trials, economic analysis, and outreach. The program also funds education and demonstration projects. The pre-proposal deadline is June 1, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. PST.
Food Safety Outreach Program – June 2
The Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) will provide up to $4.7 million in funding for on-the-ground outreach and education programs, with a focus on funding for community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, food hubs, farm cooperatives, extension, and other local groups. The Request for Applications (RFA) states that successful applicants will be expected to coordinate their activities with the Regional Centers for FSMA Training. Funding is available for Pilot Projects, Community Outreach Projects, and Multistate Education and Training Projects. Additional information is available via Grants.gov, or the FSOP webpage. Applications are due June 2, 2016.
Southern SARE – Research and Education Grants – June 3
Research and Education Grants fund projects that usually involve scientists, producers, and others in an interdisciplinary approach. Many projects involve on-farm research trials, economic analysis, and outreach. The program also funds education and demonstration projects. Research and Education Grants award up to 3 years of research activities. The funding range generally falls between $100,000 and $300,000. Pre-proposal application deadline is 5 p.m. EST, June 3, 2016
Southern SARE Professional Development Grants – June 3
Professional Development Grants spread knowledge about sustainable concepts and practices among Cooperative Extension Service staff and other agricultural professionals using a variety of approaches, from workshops to educational videos and on-farm training sessions. When applying for this grant, please refer to the guidelines in the Call for Proposal and carefully follow the application procedures. Pre-proposal application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, June 3, 2016.
Value-Added Producer Grants – June 24 & July 1
Administered by USDA Rural Development, the Value-Added Producers Grant (VAPG) program provides competitive grants to producers for working capital, feasibility studies, business plans, and marketing efforts to establish viable value-added businesses. In 2016, up to $44 million is available in competitive grants through the VAPG program. Those interested in applying should check out NSAC’s annual Farmers Guide to the VAPG Program, a unique resource that walks farmers through the program’s application requirements, including a step-by-step description of the application and ranking processes. Other resources include a USDA “toolkit” for applicants, which includes an application checklist, templates, required grant forms, and instructions (found under the “Forms & Resources” tab). The deadline to submit paper applications is July 1, while electronic applications are due June 24 through grants.gov.
Also, please note that we will shortly be announcing a joint USDA – NSAC webinar on VAPG – stay tuned for details.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – July 6
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) provides grants on an annual basis to assist state departments of agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops. Often, states partner with nonprofit organizations, producer groups, and colleges and universities to develop their application and administer the program. States can use the block grants to supplement state-run specialty crop programs and/or make grants available for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. AMS has made available $62 million in funding for FY 2016. Organizations interested in applying for SCBGP funds should do so directly through their state department of agriculture. A listing of state contacts and how to apply with state application due dates, can be found here. State departments of agriculture must submit their applications to AMS by July 6, 2016.
GroupGAP Certification – Available Now
GAP (short for “good agricultural practices) certification is a USDA audit program through which producers can demonstrate their compliance with food safety requirements to purchasers and retailers. GroupGAP provides an alternative option for small and mid-sized farms, wherein grower groups, farmer coops, and food collaborative can share the certification cost by pooling together. USDA offers several resources for potential GroupGAP applicants, including the GroupGAP User’s Guide and a fact sheet for growers. To apply for a GroupGAP audit service, producers must complete a one-page application. For wholesalers and distributors interested in requesting audit service, an agreement for participation is available here. You can also learn more via the Introduction to GroupGAP guide, offered by the Wallace Center, an NSAC member organization.
Categories: Conservation, Energy & Environment, Grants and Programs, Local & Regional Food Systems, Research, Education & Extension
