Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program

FSMIP provides matching funds on a competitive basis to assist eligible entities explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Proposals may address issues throughout the marketing chain including direct, wholesale, and retail. Proposals may involve small, medium or large-scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses. Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, multi-State), or national level are appropriate for FSMIP. Proprietary proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered for funding. FSMIP also seeks unique and innovative proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case studies useful as models for other States. Of particular interest are proposals that reflect a collaborative approach between the States, academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and stakeholders. FSMIP funds may be awarded for projects of 1 to 2 years’ duration.

Link to Full Announcement

FSMIP website incl application guidelines, FR notice and press release

Conservation Innovation Grant

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

Link to Full Announcement

NRCS Homepage

Beginning Farmer/Rancher grants

The U.S. agricultural population is poised to make a dramatic change - half of all current farmers are likely to retire in the next decade. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the average age of farm operators was 57 years. Farmers over the age 55 own more than half the farmland in the U.S. But the number of new farmers and ranchers over the age of 35 is increasing, as does the number of smaller farms and ranches nationwide. To address the needs of this changing generation, Section 7410 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub .L. No. 110-234) amended Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and made available in Fiscal Year 2009, $17.2 million to fund a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). According to these legislations, a beginning farm is considered to be one that is operated by one or more operators who have 10 years or less of experience operating a farm or ranch. In 2007, approximately 21 percent of family farms met that definition.

More information available here.

Education and Ag Challenge Grants

The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in agriscience and agribusiness in order to help ensure the existence in the United States of a qualified workforce to serve the food and agricultural sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences.

Estimated Total Program Funding:	$1,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$300,000
Award Floor:	$25,000

Funding for new farmers

One of the things that agricultural agencies and interest groups in America are hoping to nuture are new farmers. With the growing interest in setting up small farms, artisinal farm products, like cheese, and the growing market for organic and herbal crops and heritage meat and milk production, more people are interested in starting their own farms, but have no idea of how to finance them. Help is out there.

Start out with this great Beginning Farmers website. It has lots of information on starting farming, urban farming, permaculture, small animal husbandry and more. And its funding resources page gets you started on grants and loans. If you are a regular reader to this blog, you have already guessed that loans make up the vast majority of the financial help listed--because they aren't rip-off artists, and reflect reality. And if you just want money for general start-up costs, like buying the land and equipment, most of that will probably come from loans. The Beginning Farmers will show you all that as well. But even within the confines of reality, there are some outright grants in there.

Another good source is this page from the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. It gives some grant contracts, tips on successful grant writing in agriculture, and links to other forms of financing on the left-hand side of the page.

One grant source is value-added producer grants. These are given to cooperatives, as well as individual farmers and ranchers for: "planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy." "Value added agricultural products" are those that are further processed after harvesting. Also available are grants for renewable energy systems and energy audits.

Another is the site run by the Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Education program. These are for research, marketing, and sustainable innovations.

Don't forget the programs that may be run by the Agriculture Department in your own state. This is a chart of state programs.

Application Period for Grants Under the Direct Farm Sales Grant Program; 2011 Project Year

[40 Pa.B. 5823]
[Saturday, October 9, 2010]

 An application period has begun for grants under the Direct Farm Sales Grant Program (Program) administered by the Department of Agriculture (Department), Bureau of Food Distribution (Bureau). For the 2011 Project Year, the application period is October 12, 2010, to November 23, 2010. Information about the Program and application forms can be accessed at the Department web site at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under the Bureau or by contacting the Bureau at (800) 468-2433, ask to speak with Sandy Hopple.

 In summary, the Program provides funds to Commonwealth-based businesses that manage or operate a farm stand or farmers' markets, nonprofit organizations, farmers and local governments for projects intended to promote new or existing farmers' markets. Projects must pertain to specialty crops. The maximum grant amount per farm stand or farmers' market location shall be $7,500 and applicants shall be expected to provide 25% of the approved grant amount in matching funds or in-kinds goods or services. The anticipated date for the award of grants and notice thereof is expected to be on or before January 31, 2011. The application, work plan and budget should reflect March 1, 2011, as the project start date and the project completion date will be September 30, 2011.

 Applications for the Program will be accepted by the Department beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2010, and continue through Tuesday, November 23, 2010. Applications to be hand-delivered must be received by 4 p.m. in the Bureau on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, the closing date. Applications which are mailed must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, November 23, 2010, and received no later than December 1, 2010.

 Completed applications should be addressed to or delivered to Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Distribution, Direct Farm Sales Grant Program, 2301 North Cameron Street, Room 401, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.

RUSSELL C. REDDING, 
Secretary

Community Food Projects

Community Food Projects should be designed to (1): (A) meet the food needs of low-income people; (B) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and (C) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and/or (2) meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (A) infrastructure improvement and development; (B) planning for long-term solutions; or (C) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Farms in Venango, Warren and surrounding counties eligible for funding

[From Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper's website] Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) announced that farmers in Venango, Warren, Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Erie and Mercer Counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) due to a late-season frost that occurred from May 8-10, 2010.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. Emergency loan funds may be used to:

* Restore or replace essential property;
* Pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year;
* Pay essential family living expenses;
* Reorganize the farming operation; and
* Refinance certain debts.

Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000. The SURE Program provides financial assistance for crop production or quality losses due to natural disaster. That assistance is based on a calculated formula.

The Pennsylvania State Farm Insurance Agency can be reached at (717) 237-2117. The individual county offices’ phone numbers are:

* Armstrong County: (724) 545-1022
* Butler County: (724) 482-4800 ext 2
* Crawford County: (814) 336-2127 ext 2
* Erie County: (814) 796-6760 ext 2
* Mercer County: (724) 662-2890 ext 2
* Venango County (Clarion County office): (814) 226-8160
* Warren County (Clarion County office): (814) 226-8160

Rural Cooperative Development Grants

Rural Cooperative Development grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives. The U.S. Department of Agriculture desires to encourage and stimulate the development of effective cooperative organizations in rural America as a part of its total package of rural development efforts.

AFRI NIFA Fellowships Grant Program

AFRI NIFA Fellowships Grant Program
Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,000,000
Award Ceiling: $130,000
CFDA Number(s): 10.310 -- Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
Eligible Applicants:
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Individuals
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Eligible applicants for the program implemented under this subpart include: (1) State Agricultural Experiment Stations; (2) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); (3) university research foundations; (4) other research institutions and organizations; (5) Federal agencies, (6) national laboratories; (7) private organizations or corporations; (8) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; and (9) any group consisting of 2 or more entities identified in (1) through (8). Eligible institutions do not include foreign and international organizations. See RFA for additional details.

Organic Transitions Program

The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is to support the development and implementation of research, extension and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. In FY 2010, ORG will focus on environmental services provided by organic farming systems that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. Practices and systems to be addressed include those associated with organic crops, organic animal production (including dairy), and organic systems integrating plant and animal production.

Total Funding: $4,700,000
Award Ceiling: $700,000
Deadline: July 1, 2010

Small Producer Grant

Formerly known as the Small, Minority Producer Grant Program, the primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000.

Expected Number of Awards:	17
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$3,463,000
Award Ceiling:	$200,000

Deadline: July 27, 2010

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Accepting Preproposals for Acres for America Conservation Program

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Acres for America, a partnership between Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, annually provides funding for projects that conserve large landscape-level areas that are important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interest in real property.

The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Wal-Mart's domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis through acquisitions of interest in real property. Endorsement of a proposed acquisition by appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies and by nonprofit organizations that the land is of high conservation value is a primary program consideration. Preference will be given to acquisitions that are part of published conservation plans, State Wildlife Action Plans, or Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans.

Approximately $2.5 million in total funding is available annually through 2014 for conservation investments. All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Visit the NFWF Web site for complete program guidelines.
Link to Complete RFP

USDA Launches High Tunnel Pilot Study to Increase Availability of Locally Grown Foods

[From The Rural Focus: PA Governor's Newsletter] Pennsylvania farmers have the opportunity to participate in a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative called “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.” The initiative asks farmers to establish high tunnels, or hoop houses, to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

The 3-year, 38-state study will verify if high tunnels are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance program. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5 percent of 1 acre.

To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects, contact your local NRCS office. More information is also available in a video posted on USDA's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vtMJgp0no, which shows high tunnels installed in the White House garden.

Penn State beginning farmer program

Penn State supports beginning farmers through classes, workshops, demonstrations, and information for: farm dreamers, new farmers, and diversifying farmers. Whether you are dreaming of starting a small farm, or are in the first few years of production Penn State's beginning farmer program offers tools and techniques to help you succeed. An upcoming March 20 workshop will feature access to land, capital, and equipment for new farmers.

Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program

RMA announces availability of approximately $2.5 million for partnership agreements to fund outreach projects to provide information and training for limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority Commodities as defined in Part I.C. Awards will be made on a competitive basis for projects of up to one year. Recipients must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial RMA involvement in the project. More details can be accessed here.

Ag Awareness week: Resources for businesses

AG AWARENESS WEEK IS MARCH 15 - 20
Providing a Wealth of Production and Farm Business Development Ideas!
IN THE NEWS
3/5/2010 Ag Awareness Week has a new look this year (an article by Lydia Cottrell on the Times Observer website.)

Penn State Extension and the Future of Ag Task Force are proud to sponsor Ag Awareness Week, 2010. This year’s schedule includes:
Monday, March 15 - Agronomy Day
Tuesday, March 16 - Vegetable Day, Evening program - Backyard Gardens
Wednesday, March 17 - Dairy Day
Friday, March 19 - Business Development Day
Saturday, March 20 - Forestry/Natural Resources Day

All programs will be held at the Warren Extension Center in Youngsville, PA. See the Ag Awareness Week Schedule (a PDF file) for program details.
To register for any program, please print and mail in the registration form. The day time programs have a nominal ($10) fee to cover refreshments, lunch and materials. The registration deadline is March 12, 2010

Paul F. Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced a $20 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation to support agribusiness entrepreneurship at the university.

Awarded as part of the University of Nebraska Foundation's Campaign for Nebraska, the grant will establish a permanently endowed fund for the Paul F. Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The endowment will support new student scholarships, an endowed chair, student courses, a lectureship series, entrepreneurship training, internship placement assistance, student travel, and a venture capital fund for student start-up businesses.

Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management
Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $1.1 million (subject
to availability of funds) for
Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education

Sessions (the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of this
cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information
in management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural
producers. The program gives priority to educating producers of crops currently
not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved
commodities,including livestock and forage. A maximum of 110 cooperative partnership
agreements will be funded, with a minimum of ten in each of the ten designated
RMA Regions. The maximum award for any cooperative partnership agreement will be
$10,000. Awardees must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative
partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the
project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately
the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs--
CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), and CFDA No.
10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). Prospective applicants should
carefully examine and compare the notices for each program.

Organic Ag grant

The OREI seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop) for organic production standards.

CHS Foundation Mini-grants

The CHS Foundation grants up to $1,000 to innovative academic and leadership programs that strengthen student learning and enhance professional development. Examples include: leadership training opportunities, mentorship programs, professional development experiences and student fundraising efforts.

Student eligibility and funding criteria

* Must be a campus-sanctioned club/organization
* Must have an agricultural-related focus
* Club/organization may receive only one grant per academic semester
* An advisor must be listed as a contact
* Regular and ongoing club expenses are ineligible
Click here to complete and submit an electronic application. Questions can be directed to (800) 814-0506 or info@chsfoundation.org. Grants will be awarded on an on-going basis; there are no submission deadlines.

The CHS Foundation also offers three scholarship programs that focus on developing future leaders in agribusiness and production agriculture. Here are the programs offered:

* High School Scholarship Program
* Two-Year College Scholarship Program
* University Scholarship Program

Specialty Crop Block grant program

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” The agency, commission, or department responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply for grant funds directly to the USDA. Those interested in such programs should contact their local offices, listed on the USDA website.

PASA Conference

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture will hold their 19th annual Farming for the Future conference in Penn State from February 4-6, 2010, at Penn State.

Profitability in the Dairy Industry conference

The Profitability and Environmental Sustainability in the Dairy Industry Conference will take place in Madison, WI, on February 10, 2010. The one-day event is hosted by the Madison, Wisconsin-based Dairy Business Innovation Center as a part of ACEEE's 2010 Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture. More details are available at http://www.aceee.org/conf/10ag/dbic.htm.

Organic Ag Research grant

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. The deadline is February 16, 2010, and full guidelines for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative are available here.

Eligible entities include colleges and universities; other research institutions and organizations; private organizations or corporations; and individuals who are United States citizens or nationals, as well as other agencies.