The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is accepting proposals for project ideas as part of USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for 2021. Approximately $1.5 million is expected to be available to agriculture industry associations, producer groups, processors, commodity commissions, non-profits, for-profits, and local government agencies in Oregon. ODA and the advisory committee are looking for innovative two-and-a-half-year proposals with a suggested funding range of $25,000 to $175,000. A list of priorities for funding is available online. Proposals are due by January 29, 2021.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is accepting proposals for the 2021 grant cycle. FREP's competitive grant program funds research that advances fertilization practices and minimizes environmental impacts of fertilizing materials. This year's priorities include the following: demonstrating and/or validating management practices that optimize fertilizer and irrigation water use, addressing challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices, technical education, filling knowledge gaps in nitrogen management for specific crops, research on the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management, understanding nitrogen movement, and investigating mitigation strategies to reduce nitrogen loss. Concept proposals are due by January 29, 2021.

Urban Farming organizations, communities, and educational institutions are encouraged to apply to receive an in-kind donation from Growing Spaces. Approximately $40,000 worth of in-kind donations will be awarded. Considerations include impact and reach of the proposed project to an urban, low-income, and/or minority community, food desert status, organizational stability, and climate. Applications are due by January 31, 2021.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is a participating state in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). FDACS will accept applications for the 2021 SCBGP, evaluate the applications for compliance with the SCBGP program guidelines and fit with state and industry priorities, and administer any resulting awards. Proposals will be accepted from non-profit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities, and other organizations related to Florida's specialty crop industry. Individuals, individual producers, for-profit businesses, or commercial entities may submit proposals. However, the project must focus on research, education, or demonstration and must benefit the specialty crop industry in a manner that can be replicated by other organizations. Applications are due by February 5, 2021.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia is seeking support from and opportunities to partner with like-minded natural resource conservation partners, for technical services and projects to enhance Conservation Technical Assistance and Farm Bill Program Delivery across Georgia. Specific topics for which proposals are requested include soil health, urban agriculture, pollinator habitat enhancement, and others. NRCS anticipates total funding of $2.5 million. There is a funding floor of $25,000. Applications are due by February 9, 2021.

The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Project priorities are food safety, marketing, nutrition, plant health, and value added/industry development. Proposals will be accepted from Texas state agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry, or community-based organizations involved with, or that promote specialty crops. Proposals for grant funds should describe how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. Proposals must be received by February 11, 2021.

USDA NIFA is accepting applications for the Methyl Bromide Transition Program, which focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions. Projects should cover a broad range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies for controlling economically important pests for which methyl bromide has been the only effective pest control option. Approximately $1.9 million in matching funds is available for Integrated Projects and Extension-Only Projects. Applications may only be submitted by eligible colleges and universities. Applications are due by February 12, 2021.

Farmer Veteran Coalition's Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The application period is open until February 14, 2021.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is accepting applications for the 2021 Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. This program will award competitive grants to support innovative local and regional farm to school projects in nutrition education, sustainable food production and procurement, and high-quality student engagement through experiential learning. Track 1, or the California Farm to School Innovation Grant, will fund Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to establish new or expand existing integrated farm to school programs that: (1) procure California-grown or California-produced whole or minimally processed foods and integrate these foods into school meals; and (2) coordinate educational opportunities between cafeteria, classroom, and community. CDFA will make approximately $6.5 million available for Track 1 grants. Track 2, or the California Farm to School Regional Partnerships Grant, will fund innovative farm to school partnerships to expand existing farm to school initiatives and increase collaboration and coordination between producers and the schools they serve. CDFA will make approximately $2 million available for Track 2 grants. Applications will be accepted until February 16, 2021.

Tilth Alliance is accepting grant applications by Washington state farmers to support projects that will improve the economic viability, social impacts, or environmental sustainability of their farm businesses. The goal of this grant program is to enhance the operations of farmers practicing responsible and progressive methods such as sustainable soil management, crop diversification, habitat preservation, climate change mitigation, and environmentally-safe waste management practices. This is a single-year grant up to $10,000, and an individual farm business is not eligible to receive more than $20,000 over a five-year period. Funding priorities and eligibility requirements are detailed online. Applications are due by February 19, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications from State agricultural experiment stations, land-grant colleges and universities, and schools of veterinary medicine for the Minor Crop Pest Management Program Interregional Research Project #4 (IR-4). The IR-4 Program provides expert assistance for the development and registration of crop protection products needed for minor agricultural use and use on specialty crops. For the past 57 years, the program has facilitated cooperation between producers, grower organizations, state Cooperative Extension Services, land-grant universities, and federal agencies to ensure the availability of safe, effective and economical pest management tools for specialty crops, minor crops, and minor uses. Approximately $15 million is available in one award, for an IR-4 project headquarters. It is anticipated that the IR-4 project headquarters will make sub-awards to four geographically-based regional IR-4 Centers. Applications are due by February 21, 2021.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Montana. State and/or local organizations, government entities, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and benefit crops grown in Montana. The amount requested must be a minimum of $10,000; there is no maximum. Applications are due by February 23, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture requests applications for the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to support environmental assessment research concerning the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) organisms into the environment. Approximately $4.5 million is available. Applicants are limited to public or private research or educational institutions or organizations that meet specified criteria. Applications are due by February 24, 2021.

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is accepting applications for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and local, state, and federal government entities, including tribal governments. Proposals for grant funds should show how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. The maximum award amount per proposal is $100,000 for research proposals and $125,000 for marketing, training, and education proposals. Applications are due by February 25, 2021.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the potential availability of cooperative agreements in Minnesota for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state- and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals are requested for Urban Conservation Planning, Locally Grown Foods, Connecting the Urban Consumer with Rural Producers, and Reaching Out to Historically Underserved Clients and providing Technical and Financial Assistance. NRCS anticipates that $750,000 will be available through this program in FY 2021. Individual agreements range from $50,000 to $300,000. Applications must be submitted by February 26, 2021.

Minnesota produce farmers who purchased water testing for generic E. coli between September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2020 may be eligible for reimbursement of these expenses under a new pilot mini-grant program from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The Produce Safety Water Testing for Generic E. coli Mini-Grant, administered by the MDA Produce Safety Program, will distribute approximately $2,800 total, up to $400 per farmer. To be eligible, farmers must sell a minimum annual average of $5,000 in produce that is covered by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Applications will be accepted through February 26, 2021.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is accepting pre-applications for Specialty Crop Block Grants. Any business, organization, or individual can apply, but projects must benefit a specialty crop industry, sector, or the public to be eligible for funding. Approximately $200,000 is available. Funding priorities for 2021 are listed online. Pre-applications are due by March 1, 2021.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota is accepting proposals for cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration, and developing state- and community-level conservation leadership. Funding ranges from $20,000 to $1 million, with a total of $4 million available. Applicants must be Federally recognized tribal governments, State and local units of government, non-governmental organizations, or institutions of higher learning. Priority areas for funding are listed online. Applications must be received by March 1, 2021.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has up to $7 million available to eligible entities for priority conservation efforts through Conservation Collaboration Grants or Agreements (CCGA). State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities including for-profit entities may submit proposals between $100,000 and $2.5 million. Priorities are listed online and include soil health, energy efficiency, and air quality. Applications are due by March 8, 2021.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities, and other agricultural groups are encouraged to apply. For-profit entities, farms, and other businesses who want to develop sector-wide research and development projects are also eligible. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops that are grown in Minnesota by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops, expanding availability and access to specialty crops, and addressing local and regional challenges confronting specialty crop producers. Funding priorities are listed online. Applicants may request $20,000 to $100,000 per project. Applications must be received by March 10, 2021.

The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) supports the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic producers. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for a total of $6.65 million in funding to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems. Priority areas for funding are listed online. Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities, but collaborative partnerships are encouraged. Applications for this fiscal year are due by March 15, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications from colleges and universities for Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) projects that enhance the development, adoption, and implementation of innovative, ecologically-based, sustainable IPM technologies, tactics, and strategies that address regional and/or national IPM priorities. In FY 2021, NIFA will only accept competitive applications for funding in the Applied Research and Development Program area and the Extension Implementation Program area of the CPPM program. A total of approximately $18.1 million is available. Applications are due March 15, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and nutrition assistance by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The anticipated amount available for NIFA to support this program in FY 2021 is approximately $41.6 million. Applications may only be submitted by government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Applications are due by March 16, 2021.

USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service is accepting applications for approximately $33 million in matching funds through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. The following are eligible types of applicants: Independent Producer, Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business. Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. The planning grant maximum is $75,000 and the maximum for Working Capital Grants is $250,000. Electronic applications must be received by March 16, 2021; paper applications must be postmarked by March 22, 2021.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has grant funding for energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects for small business owners and farmers available through the Small Business Advantage Grant program. Pennsylvania farmers and other small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for the grants. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution related expenses. Natural resource protection projects are exempt from the minimums; however, the projects must be able to quantify sediment and nutrient reductions into nearby waterways. Businesses can apply for 50% matching funds for equipment or materials, up to $7,000, when adopting energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2020-21 funds are exhausted, or April 12, 2021, whichever occurs first.