Funding Opportunities

Applications are due by June 8, 2022.
NRCS announced the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in Arkansas. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. A total of $300,000 is available for the Arkansas CIG competition in FY 2022, with a maximum single award of $75,000.

Applications are due by June 8, 2022.
This USDA program, also known as the 2501 Program, encourages and assists socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs offered by USDA. Community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities are eligible to compete for a total of $35 million in financial assistance. The project period must be three years and the maximum award per year is $250,000.

Proposals must be received by June 21, 2022.
The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is seeking proposals from a Maine-based organization that supports local food producers, local food production, or low-income individuals in receiving food and nutrition assistance. This organization will use funds received to provide incentives to federal food and nutrition assistance program participants to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables and to support outreach for and administration of programs that offer nutrition incentives to participants of federal food and nutrition assistance programs. A one-time sum of $25,000 is available for this work in FY 2022-2023.

Applications are due by June 3, 2022.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for approximately $1.936 million available through the Special Research Grants for Aquaculture Research competitive grants program. This program funds applied aquaculture research projects to address issues related to: 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; 4) Development of climate resilient technologies, production systems, and/or management strategies for commercial aquaculture species; or 5) Economic research for increasing commercial aquaculture profitability.

Applications will be available until June 3, 2022.
Oregon Department of Agriculture launched the Oregon Disaster Assistance Program (ODAP) for farmers and ranchers who suffered financial losses during one or more of the natural disasters that hit Oregon in 2021. The $40 million program includes forgivable loans for eligible farmers. ODAP is designed to complement USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance.

Applications are due by June 1, 2022.
NRCS has $1.5 million in CRP funding to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches and technologies through conservation technical assistance in Idaho. Non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. The maximum single award is $500,000.

Proposals are due by May 27, 2022.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting proposals from non-federal entities and individuals for the Conservation Innovation Grants program. A total of $300,000 is available to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further conservation on Louisiana private lands.

Applications are due by June 1, 2022.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Hampshire is accepting applications for a total of $200,000 in Conservation Innovation Grants. The minimum award will be $75,000 and the maximum $200,000. Applicants must share 50% of the total project cost. Priorities include urban and small farm innovation, carbon markets innovation, energy, and weather resiliency. For FY 2022, at least 10% of the total funds available are set aside for historically underserved producers. Qualifying entities representing historically underserved producers may qualify for a reduced match.

Applications are due May 31, 2022.
The First State Food System Program provides funding to entities that grow, process, store, transport, distribute, or sell food in the State of Delaware. The Program highlights the interconnection of systems and processes that influence nutrition, food security, health, community development, and agricultural prosperity. The Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy will award grants from $2,500 to $150,000. Funds may be used to purchase equipment or for operational expenses.

The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is June 3, 2022.
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) is accepting pre-proposals for only the Research portion of its Research and Education Grant Program. New this year to the Research and Education Grant Program is a special topic on climate change. Specifically, SSARE is interested in projects that explore new areas of inquiry surrounding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide. SSARE is also seeking proposals that explore incentives for farmers to reduce methane emissions and policies that provide incentives for climate-friendly agriculture commodities. Projects that explore the socioeconomic issues/indicators surrounding climate changes are also encouraged. SSARE is looking for systems research pre-proposals of around $400,000, though smaller proposals are also welcomed.

Applications are due by June 1, 2022.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program to ensure improved understanding of and equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs and services among underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners and operators. These grants support the organizational delivery of technical assistance projects and establishment of technical assistance networks that provide services to underserved agricultural producers. Nonprofit entities and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for grants from $500,000 to $3.5 million.

Applications are due by May 23, 2022.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will fund $275,000 through Conservation Innovation Grants for the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further conservation on New Jersey private lands. Individuals, local and state governments, and non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply. New Jersey’s priorities include Urban Agriculture, Climate Smart Agriculture, and Forestry/Wildlife.

Applications are due by May 31, 2022.
The MOSES Farmer Advancement Fund assists historically underserved farmers and ranchers in fully participating in activities to help create and sustain their transition into farming, assisting in strengthening the future generation of farmers and ranchers. Historically underserved farmers, including BIPOC and new American farmers, beginning (farming for 10 years or less), limited resource, and Veteran farmers and ranchers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, North Dakota, or South Dakota may apply for $250 to $2,000.

Applications close on May 30, 2022.
The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes. One graduate and two undergraduate students will receive $5,000 scholarship awards each, along with opportunities to engage with sustainable agriculture advocates and practitioners. This scholarship is open to students who self-identify as Black and/or Indigenous, are a MANRRS member (either independent or university affiliated) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, and seeking a degree. Students should have an interest in grassroots organizing, movement building, or agricultural policy and a commitment to promoting racial equity in our food and farm system.

Pre-proposals are due May 25, 2022.
This program is a partnership among ConocoPhillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Approximately $1.1 million is expected to be available for supporting projects that conserve, restore, or enhance grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats for birds; or gather lacking bird population data with innovative methods. Projects must occur in a major migratory route ranging from the northern slope of Alaska to the north-south axis of the central United States, including the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Priority states include Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Applications are due by May 20, 2022.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has up to $1 million available in Texas for Conservation Innovation Grants that stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Non-federal entities and individuals are invited to apply.

Applications are due by May 24, 2022.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is accepting applications for a second round of MPIRG program funding totaling $23.6 million. USDA encourages grant applications that focus on improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency; developing new and expanding existing markets; increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand; maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards; obtaining a larger commercial presence; and increasing access to slaughter or processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, and veteran producers.

Applications are due by May 19, 2022.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The primary goal of BFRDP is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. Applications from partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations, and school-based agricultural educational organizations with expertise in agricultural training and outreach for beginning producers will be given priority in funding. Approximately $19 million is available.

Pre-proposals are due by May 19, 2022.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education is calling for pre-proposals for Research and Education grants. In this grant program, a researcher, an Extension/outreach representative, and at least three producers work together to conduct both research and education on a sustainable agriculture topic. Projects may be one to three years in length. Total funds requested may not exceed $350,000 over the entire budget period.

Applications are due by May 8, 2022.
NRCS has announced a total of $300,000 available for Conservation Innovation Grants in Idaho to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply for grants up to $65,000 for projects one to three years in duration.

Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible farmers until funding is depleted.
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) awards scholarships of up to $400 for livestock and poultry farmers to attend educational events— including virtual events—to learn knowledge, skills, and best practices related to humane animal management, business and farm finance, and/or value-added production processes. Specific conferences are listed online, or applicants can propose other events for consideration.

Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis until depleted. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2022.
Through USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding administered by South Carolina Department of Agriculture, farmers who are covered by the Produce Safety Rule can receive reimbursements up to $2,000 per year per farm for on-farm food safety improvements. Examples of improvements that may be eligible for funding include handwashing stations, worker training resources, and harvest bins. This program is designed to help farms make needed improvements and comply with the requirements of the federal Produce Safety Rule.

Applications are due by November 1, 2021.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is accepting applications for its farmer-rancher grant program. For this grant, a farmer or rancher (lead) and an agricultural professional (technical advisor) work together to develop a project that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. The maximum grant is $25,000, or $29,900 for a project with three or more producers. Projects are one to two years in scope.

Applications are due by November 1, 2021.
Organic producers and handlers can now apply for USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Program funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. This program provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each category of certification.

The next review date is October 31, 2021.
NCR-SARE has limited funds available to support conferences and educational events relevant to sustainable agriculture. To qualify, events should occur within six months of the application deadline and specifically serve the 12-state North Central Region (either in entirety, or a substantial portion of the region), or be national events offered within the North Central Region states. Most funding support will be in the $1,000 to $2,000 range per event. Applications are reviewed four times yearly.

Farmers in Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska who are thinking of planting cover crops this fall can access cost-share funds from one of seven private cost-share programs, thanks to cost-share initiatives Practical Farmers of Iowa has launched over the past seven years with supply-chain partners. Cost-share programs are available for both corn and soybeans. There’s no deadline to enroll, and you are eligible to sign up even if you are separately enrolled in a public cost-share program.

Appalachian Grown is expanding its Farmer Relief Fund to provide assistance to farmers with significant loss due to natural disasters and other emergencies. Many farms in the Appalachian Grown region are currently grappling with enormous loss due to sudden and severe flooding from Tropical Storm Fred. An Immediate Needs Grant can provide up to $500 to cover immediate needs and expenses towards cleaning, replanting, repairing, or other costs not covered through insurance or other available programs that will allow the farm to quickly respond or recover. Qualifying farms must be Appalachian Grown certified. Priority will be given to farmers who: 1) face a significant loss due to flooding or other natural disaster; 2) depend on the farm business for more than 50% of their household income; 3) have limited resources or identify as BIPOC; and 4) will use funds to cover costs not eligible through insurance or other available programs.

USDA announced that it is investing up to $50 million in cooperative agreements to support historically underserved farmers and ranchers with climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The Racial Justice and Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements are available to entities and individuals for two-year projects that expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers. Projects should remove barriers to access and reach historically underserved groups through a combination of program outreach and technical assistance in managing natural resources. Entities and individuals who provide outreach assistance to historically underserved groups are eligible.
Applications must be received by October 25, 2021.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $750,000 through its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant program. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products by investing in equipment and physical improvements that support processing, capacity, market diversification, and market access for meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000. Individuals (including farmers), businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and local units of government may apply.
The application deadline is October 28, 2021.

North Central SARE’s Partnership Grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Up to $40,000 total funding request per application is allowed. Typically, three or more farmers or ranchers are expected to be substantially involved in the project. Any agriculture or natural resource professional in the North Central region may apply.
Proposals are due October 21, 2021.