The State of Vermont's Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is accepting applications for Service Provider Grants from $5,000 to $20,000, to support the development of Vermont-based agriculture and forest-products businesses. Matching grants are available for service and technical assistance providers to create and continue programming for Vermont businesses. Projects must enhance Vermont's working landscape, and the primary applicant must be headquartered in Vermont. Applications are due November 17, 2019.

Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is accepting proposals for Research to Grass Roots Grants. These grants are built on the SARE concept that results of applied research are used to train agricultural professionals and producers in the latest principles of sustainable agriculture. Successful R2GR projects will take the research results from previously funded SARE projects and bring those results into the field through education to ag professionals and producers. The maximum for each project's funding is $75,000. Proposals are due November 20, 2019.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is accepting applications for the Farm to School Child Nutrition Grant. This grant helps schools and early childcare providers develop farm to school programs that will sustain relationships with local farmers and producers, enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of Vermont children, and enhance Vermont's agricultural economy. The grant provides a combination of financial support and technical assistance to help schools and early care providers develop robust farm to school programs that increase the use of local foods; help teachers, administrators, and staff promote healthy eating habits; strengthen connections between schools/early care providers and the Vermont agriculture community; and increase the number of Vermont children participating in child nutrition programs. Each grantee will receive $15,000. Applications must be submitted by November 21, 2019.

The North Central Integrated Pest Management Center (NCIPMC) is requesting proposals for Critical Issues that support the NCIPMC and regional IPM priorities. North Central region IPM priorities, as identified by regional IPM stakeholders, are available on the Center's website. Funding in the amount of approximately $100,000 is available for this competitive subcontract program. The lead project investigator submitting the proposal must reside in the North Central region. Proposals for Critical Issues may request funding up to $50,000 for a term of 12 months. Proposals are due by November 22, 2019.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting grant applications for applied crop research that promotes economic growth and environmentally sustainable practices. The MDA anticipates awarding more than $1 million for proposals that will improve agricultural product quality, quantity, or value in Minnesota. In addition to underserved agricultural producers, preference will also be given to applicants researching crops that have limited access to other research funds and those that have financial support from participating partners. Minnesota-based organizations with agricultural research capabilities may apply, for a maximum of $250,000 per project. Applications are due November 26, 2019.

The Pennsylvania Ag and Youth Grant Program provides direct and matching grants to help fund eligible projects, programs, and equipment purchases conducted or made by organizations composed mainly of youth and organized to promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, and peer fellowship. Eligible projects include education or workforce-development seminars or field trips, agricultural safety training programs, and/or capital projects or equipment purchases. Direct, non-matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 can defray costs of an eligible project, other than a capital project. Matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 can defray the costs of an eligible capital project or equipment purchase, where the grant covers no more than 50% of the project cost. Applications are due by November 29, 2019.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Animal Waste Technology Fund provides incentives to companies that demonstrate new technologies on farms and provide alternative strategies for managing animal manure. These technologies generate energy from animal manure, reduce on-farm waste streams, and repurpose manure by creating marketable fertilizer and other products and by-products. Up to $3.5 million will be granted. Individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and State and local government entities may apply. Applications are due by December 1, 2019.

The Community Innovation Grants Program allows the United Fresh Start Foundation to collaborate with like-minded stakeholders to increase children's access, selection, and consumption of fresh produce while they are outside of school. The 2020 program is focused on supporting visionary initiatives and research that not only increases children and families' access to fresh produce, but also broadens selection and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, whether at home, on weekends, during the summer, while out to eat, or any other time outside the traditional school day. A total of $50,000 in funds will be awarded this year, to a minimum of five projects. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, schools, universities, small businesses, and others. Applications must be received by December 1, 2019.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is providing this opportunity through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). The Statewide Agricultural Producer Association Grant Program increases income to Tennessee farmers by providing assistance for eligible activities of statewide agricultural producer associations across Tennessee. These activities contribute to the education, training, and marketing skills of Tennessee agricultural producers as well as developing markets for farm products. Grants up to $3,000 are available to qualified statewide agricultural producer associations. Proposals must be submitted by December 1, 2019.

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) awards competitive grants to working, independent family farmers located in the continental United States who raise beef cattle, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys. This year there are three types of grants offered: Animal Welfare Certification Grants, Capacity Building Grants, and Pasture Improvement Grants. A What Type of Grant Should I Apply For? Infographic and a grant info webinar on October 29, 2019, provide additional information. Applications are due December 2, 2019.

Farms that are already Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA), Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4-5+) may apply to Food Animal Concerns Trust for Capacity Building Grants up to $2,500 for individual farmers, and up to $5,000 for joint applications, for projects that would build your farm's capacity, financial viability and/or the market for your animal welfare-certified products. Working, independent family farms in the United States that already hold one of these certifications may apply. Proposed on-farm projects must impact at least one of these species: pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, sheep, dairy cows, beef cattle, and/or goats. Applications must be submitted by December 2, 2019.

The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center is accepting applications for the 2020 IPM Enhancement Grants. All projects must contribute to fostering the development and adoption of Integrated Pest Management. Approximately $220,000 is available. Most projects are limited to $30,000. Eligible applicants include private individuals and institutions, faculty and qualified staff of four-year universities, businesses, commodity organizations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations. The primary Project Director must be from within the Southern Region. Proposals are due by December 2, 2019.

Pennsylvania's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was created to enhance the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a state-level program for crops not currently eligible federally or that are otherwise designated as high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. This grant funding is to assist with the growth, certification of seed, and marketing of eligible crops including hemp, hardwoods, honey, and hops; and barley, rye, and wheat for distilling, brewing, and malting purposes only. State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply for a total of $460,000 in grants under the program. Individual producers are not eligible for this program. Concept proposals are due by December 2, 2019.

Potential partners are invited to propose Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects where NRCS and partners co-invest in impactful and innovative solutions to on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Proposed projects must generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource objectives in a state/multistate area or address one or more primary resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial and technical assistance funds to project partners and agricultural producers to carry out projects. Up to $300 million is available for RCPP projects for FY 2019. Applications are accepted from all 50 states, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Applications must be received by December 3, 2019.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is accepting applications for Farmer Grants. Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique. A technical advisor—often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional—must also be involved. Projects should seek results other farmers can use, and all projects must have the potential to add to knowledge about effective sustainable practices. Applications are due by December 3, 2019.

North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE) is accepting Farmer Rancher Grant proposals to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to problems on the farm or ranch. Proposals should show how farmers and ranchers plan to use their own innovative ideas to explore sustainable agriculture options and how they will share project results. There are three types of competitive grants: individual grants ($9,000 maximum), team of two grants for two farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($18,000 maximum), and group grants for three or more farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($27,000 maximum). NCR-SARE expects to fund about 40 projects in the 12-state North Central Region. A total of approximately $720,000 is available for this program. Proposals are due on December 5, 2019.

The 2020 Western IPM Center annual grant program offers funding for Project Initiation, Work Groups, Outreach and Implementation, and Planning Documents. The amount available this cycle is approximately $250,000. Eligible applicants include private individuals and institutions, faculty and qualified staff of two-and four-year universities, businesses, commodity organizations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.The project director must be in the Western Region. Priorities for funding are listed online, and include invasive species, biological control of pests, soil-borne pest management, and many more. Proposals must be submitted by December 6, 2019.

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is accepting proposals for On-Farm Research Grants intended for agricultural professionals throughout the Southern region who regularly work with farmers/ranchers. A maximum of $20,000 is available for projects up to two years. Agriculture professionals in Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, universities, NGOs, and government agencies who regularly work with farmers/ranchers are invited to apply. Applicants must work with at least one farmer/rancher on the project. Applications are due by December 6, 2019.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology is offering limited scholarships to military veterans who would like to attend Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's (SAWG) annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference. Fifteen partial scholarships, which will cover the cost of general conference registration, will be awarded. Five full scholarships are also available, which will cover the cost of conference registration, short course and field trip attendance, and lodging at the conference hotel. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is December 6, 2019.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is making grant funds available to begin a community or school orchard/garden project. Grants from $500 to $7,500 will be available on a competitive basis, through a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant award. Applications must be received by December 6, 2019.

USDA awards competitive Farm to School Grants to be used for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs. This year, FNS seeks to award up to $10 million to schools, school districts, nonprofits, State and local agencies, agricultural producers, and Indian tribal organizations to plan and implement farm to school activities. The RFA includes three tracks: Implementation, Planning, and a new State Agency track. Grants ranging in size from $20,000 to $100,000 are available. Applications are due by December 13, 2019.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites Wisconsin dairy processors to apply for the next round of Dairy Processor Grants. These grants foster innovation, improve profitability, and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin's dairy processing facilities. Dairy Processor Grants are customizable to each processor and can be used to address a wide range of business needs including food safety, staff training, or modernization. Eligible applicants must operate a licensed dairy processing plant in Wisconsin which is engaged in pasteurizing, processing or manufacturing milk or dairy products. A grant up to $50,000 is available per dairy processor. The processor is required to provide a match of at least 20%. Applications are due by December 13, 2019.

The National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas seeks formal collaboration with individuals, organizations, and institutions on a range of agricultural and food law topics. The National Agricultural Law Center is seeking formal collaboration to conduct research and outreach activities that support the delivery of objective agricultural and food law research and information to the nation's agricultural community. The estimated range for individual project funding awards is $1,000 - $15,000. Funding levels will vary based on the needs of selected projects. Letters of interest are due by December 15, 2019.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program that funds projects that explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable, resource-efficient, and personally satisfying. Applications from Minnesota farmers receive priority, but the program also funds Minnesota nonprofits and educational organizations that meaningfully involve Minnesota farmers in projects. Projects must last two to three years and grantees must be willing to share what they learn with others. A total of $200,000 is available. Applicants may request up to $50,000 per project. For requests between $25,000 and $50,000, applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match on the amount above $25,000. Applications are due by December 17, 2019.

Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their livestock operations are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $768,000 using a competitive review process. The AGRI Program's Livestock Investment Grants encourage long-term industry development through investment in facilities, infrastructure, and equipment. Applicants may apply for 10% of their project's total cost, maximum. Grant awards range from $400 to $25,000. Each livestock operation is eligible to receive a lifetime maximum of $50,000 from this grant program. Proposals must be received by December 18, 2019.

Cornell University's Agriculture Education and Outreach program is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Agricultural Education Incentive Grant for New and Growing Programs. This program will provide local school-based agricultural education programs with grant awards to secure necessary resources for a high-quality agricultural education program. These resources may include, but are not limited to: curriculum development, professional development, program development, resource acquisitions, and program coordination. New programs have until December 20, 2019, to apply.

Growing Greener Plus refers to three grant programs: Growing Greener(Watershed Restoration and Protection), Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Bond Forfeiture and Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Set-Aside grants. Watershed associations, conservation districts, municipal governments, and nonprofits are eligible to apply. Watershed restoration priorities include reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollutant loadsfrom agricultural and urban runoff, by implementing and maintaining Best Management Practices (BMPs). They also include stream restoration, bank stabilization, and floodplain restoration. Applications are due by December 20, 2019.

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is a statewide public-private financing program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in communities throughout Pennsylvania. The FFFI provides one-time grants and loans to food retailers in order to increase access to healthy, affordable grocery food options and to improve economic opportunities for lower-income, underserved communities in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the state. Applications for financing will be evaluated and approved on a rolling basis while funds remain available.

The John May Farm Safety Fund has been established by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) for New York farmers needing financial help to improve safety on their farms. Awardees must meet these eligibility requirements: (1) resident of New York State; (2) active farmer (part-time or full-time); and (3) annual farm gross receipts are $10,000 - $349,999 or a dairy farm that has fewer than 700 milking cows. Awards may not exceed 50% of the estimated total cost of the project, with a maximum award amount of $5,000. Applications to the program may be submitted at any time. The number of awards and the award amount will be determined by NYCAMH on a first-come, first-served basis.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is inviting farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to apply for cost-share on small grains harvested in 2020 and followed by a legume-containing cover crop. Eligible small grains include barley, oats, rye, triticale, or wheat. A legume cover crop could be under- or co-seeded clover or alfalfa, or a summer-planted cover that includes hairy vetch or field peas. The cost share provides $25/acre on up to 100 acres per farmer for this combination of a main crop and cover crop on either conventional acres or those transitioning to organic. Cost-share funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

USDA is making $150 million in grants available through the Community Facilities Program to help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters. The grants may be used for relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Michael and Florence, wildfires in 2018, and other natural disasters where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided a notice declaring a Major Disaster Declaration and assigned a FEMA disaster recovery (DR) number. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Grant applications will be accepted at USDA state offices on a continual basis until funds are exhausted.

Virginia's governor has announced that $73 million is available this year to protect water and soil health through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program. The cost-share program is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Virginia's 47 soil and water conservation districts. The cost-share program supports the use of various practices in conservation planning to treat cropland, pastureland, hay land, and forested land. Individuals, partnerships, trusts, and other businesses operating farms in Virginia may qualify for cost-share assistance. Participant caps have been raised to $100,000. Producers can visit their local district office for information and to apply. The program year runs July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is offering 10 scholarships worth $10,000 each to high school seniors or those currently enrolled in a two- or four-year higher education program, with plans to pursue a career in agriculture. In order to be eligible, you must reside in MidAtlantic Farm Credit's territory. Applications are due by January 10, 2020.

The Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with SecondMuse and OpenIDEO on the Food System Vision Prize. Organizations, universities, institutions, companies, governments, cooperatives, and partnerships from around the world are invited to develop a vision of the regenerative and nourishing food system that they aspire to create by the year 2050. A prize of $2 million will be distributed among 10 winners. Prize participants may submit their visions at any point during the open submission phase and are encouraged to publish an initial post of their submission by the early submission deadline, December 5, 2019. The last day to apply is January 31, 2019.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invites applications for financial assistance to implement farmland protection activities. This funding opportunity provides State financial assistance to enable local initiatives that are intended to maintain the economic viability of the State's agricultural industry and its supporting land base and to protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture. This grant opportunity is being offered to specifically implement Conservation Easement Projects with owners of viable agricultural lands that are associated with a dairy Farm Operation at risk of conversion to non-farm uses. The applicant must be the entity that is the Grantee (or "holder") of the perpetual agricultural conservation easement. Grant applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until all funding is committed.

Pennsylvania's Center for Dairy Excellence is accepting applications from dairy producers who are looking for an outside perspective and a team approach to decision-making. Three different team program grants allow dairy producers to establish on-farm teams and take advantage of professional consulting resources. The grants allow dairy farmers to establish a Dairy Profit, Transition, or Transformation Team that consists of industry experts and trusted advisors. Dairy farms can receive up to $2,000 in reimbursements for Dairy Profit teams, up to $3,000 for Dairy Transition teams, and up to $5,000 for a Dairy Transformation team. A $100 application fee is required for all On-Farm Resource Programs and a demonstrated in-kind or financial match. The grant period is open until May 31, 2020.