Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is accepting pre-proposals for Research & Education Grants. Projects should addresses a critical need in sustainable agriculture in the Western region. Projects must contain both research and education components and involve agricultural producers from inception to finish in the planning, design, implementation, and educational outreach. Total funds requested may not exceed $350,000 over the entire budget period, which may extend to three years. Pre-proposals are due May 28, 2019.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the Special Research Grants Program - Aquaculture Research competitive grants program. This program funds applied aquaculture research projects to address issues related to the following four topics: 1) Genetics of commercial aquaculture species; 2) Critical disease issues impacting commercial aquaculture species; 3) Design of environmentally and economically sustainable commercial aquaculture production systems; or 4) Economic research for increasing commercial aquaculture profitability. Approximately $1.2 million is available in fiscal year 2019. Applications are due by May 28, 2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are providing funds for farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin to implement new nutrient-management practices. This program will provide cost-share up to $15,000 for farmers to try practices such as grid/zone sampling, variable-rate application or subsurface placement, yield-monitor calibration, and evaluation of nutrient management. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis through local Conservation Districts.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants in Arkansas. Approximately $300,000 is available through the program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies within Arkansas. Project proposals should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern. For FY 2019, Arkansas NRCS will consider offering grants in the following areas: nutrient and sediment reduction in impaired watersheds, high tunnels, organic, irrigation, soil health, and adoption of cover crops in rice rotations. Individual matching grant awards may not exceed $75,000. Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2019.

North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking grant proposals for research into finding practical solutions to honey bee health issues and for honey promotion and outreach projects. Approximately $130,000 is available. Research priorities are Varroa mite control, understanding honey bee viruses and effects on honey bee health, correlating pathogen presence to management practices, and other problem-solving ideas of interest to the beekeeping industry. Grant applications must be received by May 31, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. All non-federal entities and individuals are invited to apply for grants up to $75,000. Priorities for 2019 include grazingland and inventory assessments, soil health, native plant communities, and water-quality and nutrient management. Applications must be received by May 31, 2019.

The Horticultural Research Institute funds research that specifically deals with green industry-related issues. HRI-supported projects focus on significant problems, regulatory issues, and emerging opportunities in the nursery, greenhouse, retail, and landscape industry. HRI research focuses on the propagation, production, distribution, marketing, and sale of plant material. Grants are typically between $5,000 and $35,000. Applications for FY 2020 will be accepted through June 1, 2019.

The High Plains OCIA of Nebraska, Inc., a chapter of OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association), is offering higher-education scholarships of up to $1,000 for the 2019 / 2020 school year. The chapter encompasses members from Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, all areas of the panhandle of Nebraska, and parts of the Sand Hills. The Chapter's Board of Directors will choose the winners based on a letter detailing the applicant's interest and/or activities in organic production, processes, education, or information. Applications are due by June 1, 2019.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for Community Food Projects (CFP) and Planning Projects. The program supports the development of CFPs with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. The purpose of a Planning Project (PP) is to complete a plan toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of this program. Examples of CFP Projects include, but are not limited to, community gardens with market stands, value chain projects, food hubs, farmers markets, farm-to-institutions projects, and marketing and consumer cooperatives. Examples of PPs include, but are not limited to, community food assessments' coordination of collaboration development plan, GIS analysis, food sovereignty study, and farm-to-institution exploration. All projects must involve low-income participants. Approximately $4.8 million is available. No single CFP award will exceed $125,000 in any single year or $400,000 over four years. No single PP award will exceed $35,000 for the total project period. Applications are due by June 3, 2019.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting letters of intent for the Sustainable Agricultural Systems portion of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program. For FY 2019, applications to the SAS RFA must focus on systems approaches that promote transformational changes in the U.S. food and agricultural system within the context of the long-term goals outlined subsequently in the program area priority description. NIFA seeks creative and visionary applications that take a systems approach for significantly improving the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products, while fostering economic development and rural prosperity in America. These approaches must demonstrate current needs and anticipate future social, cultural, behavioral, economic, health, and environmental impacts. Additionally, the outcomes of the work being proposed should result in societal benefits, including promotion of rural prosperity and enhancement of quality of life for all those involved in food and agricultural value chains from production to utilization and consumption. The amount available for new grants in FY 2019 is $90 million, for awards of up to $10 million each. Letters of intent are due by June 4, 2019.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Food Safety Outreach Program, which provides funding for food safety training and education for small and mid-sized producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). In FY 2019, NIFA will fund Community Outreach Projects (COP) that will support the development of food safety education and outreach programs in local communities and the expansion of existing food safety education programs that address the needs of small, specialized audiences whose education needs have not previously been adequately addressed. In FY 2019, NIFA will also fund Collaborative Education and Training Projects (CETP) that will support the development of multi-county, state-wide, or multi-state programs. Applications are due by June 6, 2019.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho plans to invest up to $225,000 in the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, funding innovative conservation projects in three focus areas: grazing lands, soil health, and management to benefit threatened and endangered species or species of greatest conservation need. Special consideration for funding will be given to applications that relate to the following priorities related to Water Quantity and Quality: Irrigation Water Management and Source Water Protection/Precision Agriculture. Grant proposals are due June 7, 2019.

The Southern region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is accepting applications for the 2020 Research & Education Grant Program. Applicants have a choice of whether they want to submit a systems research-based pre-proposal, or an education-based pre-proposal. SSARE is looking for systems research pre-proposals of around $300,000, though smaller proposals are also welcomed, and Education pre-proposals of around $50,000. The grant is open to anyone in Southern Region agriculture interested in conducting education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is June 7, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is accepting applications to establish gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, and seasonal high tunnels through the Texas NRCS Urban and Rural Conservation Projects. These projects will help establish gardens to grow healthy produce in areas of need and to educate urban and rural youth, organizations, and communities about the importance of conservation, urban agriculture, and growing healthy fresh vegetables. Grants are available up to $4,000 for a vegetable garden, $3,000 for a pollinator garden, $5,000 for a rainwater harvesting system, and $6,500 for a seasonal high tunnel. Applications are due by June 7, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Up to $500,000 is available for one- to three-year grants. The maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $75,000 in fiscal year 2019. In 2019, NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the "technical toolbox" to address the following on-farm resource concerns: soil health, water quality and quantity; plant quality; air quality; forestland health; wildlife; energy conservation; and waste recycling/resource conservation. Eligible applicants include state and local government, non-governmental organizations, Tribal governments, eligible private business, and individuals. Proposals are due by June 10, 2019.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) formerly known as the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program. This program 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. Approximately $41 million is available, across five types of grants: 1. GusNIP Pilot Projects; 2. GusNIP Projects; 3. GusNIP Large Scale Projects; 4. Produce Prescription; and 5. Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers. Applications are due by June 10, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced up to $125,000 of funding available in Rhode Island for eligible individuals, local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, and tribes through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). These grants are intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection. Applicants submitting proposals may request up to $75,000 of matching federal funds. The proposal must involve Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)-eligible producers and should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern in one of the following sub-categories: energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water quality or quantity, plant health/vigor, soil quality, and wildlife habitat. The deadline for submitting an application is June 10, 2019.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Kansas is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Kansas. A total of up to $400,000 is available for CIG in FY 2019. All non-federal entities and individuals are invited to apply. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2019 is $75,000. Applications must be received by June 14, 2019.

USDA is making up to $40 million in technical and financial assistance available through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore, and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Under WREP, states, local units of governments, non-governmental organizations, and American Indian tribes collaborate with NRCS through cooperative and partnership agreements. These partners work with tribal and private landowners who voluntarily enroll eligible land into easements. Proposals are due by June 14, 2019.

The Center for Rural Affairs is partnering with Farm Aid and Iowa Farmers Union to help farmers impacted by recent flooding in Iowa. If you are an Iowa farmer in an area damaged by the recent flooding, you may be eligible for a $500 grant to help with personal expenses. The grant is to be used for household expenses, including medical bills, and may not be used for professional expenses related to farm operation.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). FMPP's purpose is to help support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access and availability to locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Approximately $11.5 million will be available. The minimum award per grant is $50,000, and the maximum is $500,000. A 25% match of total Federal funds is required. Applications must be submitted by June 18, 2019.