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 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), in partnership with The Southeastern African American Farmers' Organic Network (SAAFON), and Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), is accepting applications for the annual scholarship in memory of the late Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. The scholarship welcomes Black and Indigenous MANRRS-registered students who are interested in sustainable agriculture and how it affects Black farmer communities and food justice in the United States to apply. The Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship will offer one graduate and two undergraduate students each a $3,000 award. To be considered, undergraduate students must have completed half of their respective programs by the end of December 2020, and graduate students must have completed at least four courses by December 2020. The application deadline is March 8, 2021.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant funding. Eligible projects must "enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops" and expand local, regional, domestic, or international markets and distribution. The department will consider grant awards up to a maximum of $50,000 for a specific project with a two-year grant period. MDA will accept proposals from individuals, individual producers, non-profit and for-project businesses, public and private colleges and universities, agencies, institutions, industry and community based organizations or commercial entities only if the project focus benefits the entire specialty crop industry. Proposals 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 $150,000 per project. Applications must be received by March 16, 2021.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting applications for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. To qualify, the grants must be used to support projects that raise awareness about and increase demand for specialty crops grown in Iowa. Successful grant applications should explain how projects will improve specialty crop production through marketing and promotions, research and development, expanding availability and access to specialty crops, and addressing local, regional and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. All projects must have an educational component. Preference will be given to projects that have the potential to significantly expand, enhance and improve production and demand. Iowa agencies, universities, institutions, producers, industry associations and community-based organizations are eligible to apply. Awardees may receive up to $24,000 and projects can have a duration of up to 30 months. Proposals must be received by March 11, 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.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for Specialty Crop Block Grants to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops. Eligible organizations include universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, and industry or community-based organizations. The program aims to support projects that directly affect multiple Tennessee producers and have a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee agriculture. First-time recipients have a funding limit of $25,000. Applications are due by 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.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is making funding available through the Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant Program to elevate dairy businesses through agritourism across the Northeast region. Projects funded through this program should benefit multiple dairy businesses by promoting the access and sale of regionally produced milk and related products. Grants are available to applicants in all New England states, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The minimum grant award is $10,000 and the maximum is $25,000. Producers and processors of cow, goat, or sheep milk may apply, and dairy producer associations in the Northeast region may also apply. Applications are due by March 16, 2021.

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant. Projects will be evaluated on how well they enhance the competitiveness of Oklahoma's specialty crops, soundness and quality of the project plan, measurable outcomes, and return on investment. Applications are due March 17, 2021.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is offering a grant opportunity to promote the expansion of value-added agriculture production, processing, and healthy food access within the state to enhance Michigan's food and agriculture industry. MDARD will accept proposals that are intended to establish, retain, expand, attract and/or develop value-added agricultural processing in Michigan; expand or develop regional food systems; or expand access to healthy food, including farm markets, urban agriculture, and hoop houses. The maximum grant amount is $100,000 and a 30% match is required. Proposals are due March 18, 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.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This program supports delivery of education, mentoring, and technical assistance programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories with entering, establishing, building, and managing successful farm and ranch enterprises. Approximately $16.5 million is expected to be available. Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. Applications are due by March 25, 2021.

USDA Rural Housing Service is accepting applications for Rural Community Development Initiative Grants. These grants are awarded to help nonprofit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas. The minimum award for these matching grants is $50,000; the maximum grant award is $250,000. Electronic applications must be submitted by March 22, 2021; paper applications must be received by March 29, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program. The anticipated grant amount available is approximately $930,000. These funds will provide support for canola: up to three region-based integrated canola grants of up to approximately $225,000 per year with a project period of up to four years. SAC will also support one industrial hemp project to collect hemp germplasm for storage in the USDA hemp germplasm repository up to approximately $125,000 per year with a project period of up to four years. Only colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and private sector entities are eligible to submit applications. Applications are due March 30, 2021.

USDA Rural Development administers the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides loans and grants to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Grants are available for up to 25% of total eligible project costs, and combined grant and loan guarantee funding is available for a maximum of 75% of total eligible project costs. Applications are due by March 31, 2021.

Rodale Institute, in partnership with Organic Farmers Association, offers a micro-grant program specifically targeted to support small-scale Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) farmers, whether organic, transitioning to organic, or an aspiring organic farmer. Grant funding is focused on needs such as tools, equipment, training, consulting, or anything that ensures the farmer's success. Funding should have the potential to positively impact a farmer's transition to organic, allow them to better market their products, or solve a particular problem that is typically un-fundable through normal operational or lending strategies. Projects that have a high potential for impact on the individual farm and/or the communities they serve will be given the highest priority. Project budgets should be between $500 and $2,000. Applications are due by March 31, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is requesting applications for Food Safety Outreach Program projects for fiscal year 2021 to develop and implement food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, veteran farmers or ranchers, or small fresh-fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. These audiences are affected by the food safety guidelines established under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The amount available for grants in FY 2021 is approximately $9.6 million. Applications are due April 1, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program to improve the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers, and maintain the national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2021 is approximately $1.85 million. Individual awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. Applications are due by April 8, 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.

Northeast SARE's Partnership Grant program funds projects conducted by researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers working in direct partnership with farmers. Grants may be used for projects such as the following: research to improve production practices, marketing approaches, or farmer, farmworker or community well-being; education and training programs to increase knowledge and improve decision-making about sustainable practices; on-farm or in-market demonstrations of new techniques; and developing new farm-management and community-development approaches that support sustainable agriculture outcomes. Partnership Grants are capped at $30,000 and typically run for one to two years. Proposals are due by April 13, 2021.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the Special Research Grants Program—Potato Research fiscal year (FY) 2021 to support breeding research that leads to the development and commercial use of superior performing potato varieties that address significant challenges to the U.S. potato industry. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2021 is approximately $2.56 million. Applications may only be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, land-grant colleges and universities, and their research foundations. Applications are due by April 16, 2021.

Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. This grant is open to producers, schools, trade associations, nonprofits, farmers markets, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah. Potential projects may include a broad range of focus such as improving marketing, research, training, certifications, food safety, pest control, plant health, and beyond for specialty crops. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to enhance the competitiveness of Utah grown specialty crops and benefit more than one producer or organization. Applications are due by April 27, 2021.

Northeast SARE's Graduate Student Research Grant Program supports graduate student research focused on sustainable agriculture using either or both natural and social science approaches. Proposals should address issues of current or potential importance to Northeast farmers and the agricultural/food system community. Projects must explore one or more of the sustainable agriculture themes of good stewardship, profitability, and quality of life for farmers and the agricultural community. The grant program is open to any graduate student enrolled at an accredited college, university or veterinary school in the Northeast region. Grants are capped at $15,000 and projects can run up to two years. Proposals are due by April 27, 2021