NW PA Agriculture

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)

2012-02-09T12:37:00.001-08:00

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. 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.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

1862 Land-Grant Institutions

1890 Land-Grant Institutions

1994 Land-Grant Institutions

For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses

Individuals

Other or Additional Information (See below)

Private Institutions of Higher Ed

State Agricultural Experiment Stations

State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

More Information on Eligibility

The following entities are eligible: 1. State agricultural experiment stations; 2. colleges and universities; 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 United States citizens or nationals; or 9. any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (1) through (8).

Request for Application (RFA) | Apply: Electronic | Abstracts of Funded Projects

Solicitation Date (Opening)	January 17, 2012
Letter of Intent Due Date	None
Due Date (Closing)	March 9, 2012
Estimated Total Program Funding	$19,000,000.00
Range of Awards	$0.00 to $2,000,000.00
Percent of Applications Funded Last Fiscal Year	24%
Cost Sharing Requirements	See RFA
For More Information Contact	Steven I. Smith
Funding Opportunity Number	USDA-NIFA-ICGP-003649
CFDA Number	10.307
Contact for Electronic Access Problems	webcomments@nifa.usda.gov

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

2012-02-09T12:28:00.001-08:00

Description

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $55 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government 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. Please contact your local State department of agriculture if you are not eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to conduct outreach regarding the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – Farm Bill to specialty crop stakeholders, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and conduct a competitive grant proposal process. State department of agriculture contacts can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp. Select “State Contact” from the right navigation bar. Applications from State departments of agriculture must be submitted by July 11, 2012. For more information, please review the Notice of Funds Availability at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-08/pdf/2012-2849.pdf.

Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program

2012-01-27T11:55:00.001-08:00

Deadline: March 30, 2012

Applications may be submitted by: (a) U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences; (b) land-grant colleges and universities, (including land grant institutions in the Insular Areas); (c) colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and (d) other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences.

Agency Name

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Description

Projects supported by the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program will: (1) address a State, regional, national, or international educational need; (2) involve a creative or non-traditional approach toward addressing that need that can serve as a model to others; (3) encourage and facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education community, as well as between universities and the private sector, to enhance program quality and supplement available resources; and (4) result in benefits that will likely transcend the project duration and USDA support.

Link to Full Announcement

Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program

PA Ag webinar to focus on financing

2012-01-25T05:52:00.001-08:00

Lending in Greener Pastures: Taking a Closer Look at Agricultural Economic Development

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Webinar
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Conference Info & Registration

Farmers Grow Rural Education program

2012-01-24T09:36:00.001-08:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest] MonsantoFund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company,has announced the launch of its America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program. The grant program will provide grants in over twelve hundredcounties across thirty-nine states to help strengthen local communities andeducation systems, especially in the areas of science and/or math. Grants willbe awarded based on merit, need, and community support.

The program invites farmers to nominate a public school districtin their community to compete for a grant. Administrators from nominated schooldistricts can then submit an application for either a $10,000 or $25,000 grantto support a science and/or math education program.

School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will competeagainst other school districts located in a USDA-appointed Crop ReportingDistrict; CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will competeagainst each other for a single grant. A school district that applies for a$25,000 grant will compete against schools located in its state or designatedregion. The Monsanto Fund will award a hundred and ninety-nine grants throughthe program in 2012: a hundred and seventy-seven $10,000 grants and twenty-twogrants of $25,000. Overall, the fund will donate more than $2.3 million toschool districts through the program.

To be eligible to submit a nomination, farmers must be at least 21years old and actively engaged in farming a minimum of two hundred and fiftyacres of corn, soybeans, and/or cotton, and/or forty acres of open fieldvegetables, or at least ten acres of vegetables grown in protected culture; andmust reside in eligible counties where a minimum of thirty thousand acres ofcorn and/or soybeans and/or cotton and/or vegetables are planted each year.

Visit the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Web site for thecomplete list of eligible states and regions, program guidelines, andnomination procedures.

Link to Complete RFP

Monsanto Fund Invites Farmers to Nominate School Districts for America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Grant Program

2012-01-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the MonsantoCompany, has announced the launch of its America'sFarmers Grow Rural Education program.

Thegrant program will provide grants in over twelve hundred counties acrossthirty-nine states to help strengthen local communities and education systems,especially in the areas of science and/or math. Grants will be awarded based onmerit, need, and community support.

Theprogram invites farmers to nominate a public school district in their communityto compete for a grant. Administrators from nominated school districts can thensubmit an application for either a $10,000 or $25,000 grant to support ascience and/or math education program.

Schooldistricts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other schooldistricts located in a USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District; CRDs with fewerthan five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a singlegrant. A school district that applies for a $25,000 grant will compete againstschools located in its state or designated region. The Monsanto Fund will awarda hundred and ninety-nine grants through the program in 2012: a hundred andseventy-seven $10,000 grants and twenty-two grants of $25,000. Overall, thefund will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts through theprogram.

To beeligible to submit a nomination, farmers must be at least 21 years old andactively engaged in farming a minimum of two hundred and fifty acres of corn,soybeans, and/or cotton, and/or forty acres of open field vegetables, or atleast ten acres of vegetables grown in protected culture; and must reside ineligible counties where a minimum of thirty thousand acres of corn and/orsoybeans and/or cotton and/or vegetables are planted each year.

Visitthe America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Web site for the complete list ofeligible states and regions, program guidelines, and nomination procedures.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Pennsylvania Eligible Counties:
CRD 10: Crawford,Erie, Mercer
CRD 20: Lycoming
CRD 40: Butler,Indiana
CRD 50: Blair,Centre, Columbia, Dauphin, Northumberland, Perry
CRD 60: Lehigh,Northampton, Schuykill
CRD 70: Somerset,Westmoreland
CRD 80: Adams,Bedford, Cumberland, Franklin, York
CRD 90: Berks,Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon

Land Conservation Assistance Grants

2011-12-05T05:39:00.001-08:00

Application Period for the Agricultural Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program

[41 Pa.B. 6382]
[Saturday, December 3, 2011]

An application period for grants under the Agricultural Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program (program) administered by the Department of Agriculture (Department) has started. The program is authorized by sections 7.1 and 7.3 of the act of June 18, 1982 (P. L. 549, No. 159) (3 P. S. §§ 1207.1 and 1207.3). In summary, the program allows the Department to award grants to certain counties for projects that will establish or improve agricultural conservation easement purchase programs. Regulations for the program are in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 138h (relating to Agricultural Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program). These regulations can be viewed and downloaded at www.pacode.com.

Applications for the program will be accepted by the Department beginning January 2, 2012, for a 45-day period ending at 4 p.m. on February 16, 2012. Information and grant application forms may be obtained from April Orwig, Bureau of Farmland Preservation, Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Room 402, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.

GEORGE D. GREIG,
Secretary

Direct Farm Sales grants

2011-11-07T06:06:00.001-08:00

An application period for grants under the Direct Farm Sales Grant Program (Program) administered by the Department of Agriculture (Department), Bureau of Food Distribution (Bureau). For the 2012 Project Year, the application period is November 7, 2011, to December 19, 2011. Information about the Program and application forms can be accessed at the Department's web site at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under the Bureau. Application forms are also available by contacting Sandy Hopple, (800) 468-2433.

In summary, the Program provides funds to Commonwealth-based businesses that manage or operate farm stands 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 February 1, 2012. The application, work plan and budget should reflect March 1, 2012, as the project start date and the project completion date will be September 30, 2012.

Applications for the Program will be accepted by the Department beginning Monday, November 7, 2011, and continue through Monday, December 19, 2011. Applications to be hand-delivered must be received by 4 p.m. in the Bureau on Monday, December 19, 2011, the closing date. Applications which are mailed must be postmarked no later than Monday, December 19, 2011, and received no later than December 23, 2011.

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.

Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE)

2011-10-21T08:25:00.001-07:00

Funding Opportunity Number:	USDA2011ACE01
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Posted Date:	Oct 20, 2011
Creation Date:	Oct 20, 2011
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Nov 15, 2011
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Nov 15, 2011
Archive Date:	Dec 15, 2011
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Agriculture Employment, Labor and Training
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:	8
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$4,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$500,000
Award Floor:	$0
CFDA Number(s):	10.465 -- Farmworker Training Grant Program
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	No

Eligible Applicants

State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Entities eligible for awards are non-profit organizations or a consortium of entities comprised of a non-profit organization and one or more of the following: agribusinesses, State and local governments, agricultural labor organizations, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and community-based organizations with the capacity to train farmworkers. The criteria by which an entity's capacity to train farmworkers will be evaluated, at a minimum, by the following items: 1) an understanding of the issues facing hired farmworkers and conditions under which they work; 2) familiarity with the agricultural industry in the geographic area to be served, including agricultural labor needs and existing services for farmworkers; and 3) the capacity to effectively administer a program of services and benefits authorized by the grants program.

Agency Name

DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Description

The ACE grants program is intended to improve the supply of skilled agricultural workers and bring greater stability to the workforce in this sector. This stability will be realized through services specifically designed to assist farmworkers in securing, retaining, upgrading or returning from agricultural jobs. Such services include the following: • agricultural labor skills development; • the provision of agricultural labor market information; • transportation; • short-term housing while in transit to an agricultural worksite; • workplace literacy and assistance with English as a second language; • health and safety instruction, including ways of safeguarding the food supply of the United States; and • other such services the Secretary deems appropriate.

PA First Industries Program passes

2011-08-26T07:28:00.001-07:00

State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announced today that Senate Bill 1007, legislation he authored to extend the First Industries Program, passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 198-0. This legislation had previously passed the Senate 50-0 on June 23, 2011.

The First Industries Program backs low cost loans assisting with the financing of an economic development project primarily related to agriculture and tourism. This legislation will continue to allow a farm credit institution, a commercial lending institution, or a community development financial institution to participate in the First Industries Program, and enable the Commonwealth Financing Authority to continue providing loan guarantees of 51% to 90% of the loan principal to finance an agricultural project. SB 1007 keeps the minimum amount of private investment at the $500,000 threshold, and extends the sunset provisions of the Commonwealth's First Industries Program from June 30, 2011 until July 15, 2015. The governor is expected to sign the bill quickly to avoid any disruption in the program.

"The First Industries Program helps agriculture grow and compete in a difficult economic environment. I'm glad the Legislature recognized the importance of this program and acted swiftly before the deadline," Vogel said.

Value-Added Producer grant

2011-08-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

The synopsis for this grant opportunity is detailed below, following this paragraph. This synopsis contains all of the updates to this document that have been posted as of 08/12/2011 . If updates have been made to the opportunity synopsis, update information is provided below the synopsis.

If you would like to receive notifications of changes to the grant opportunity click send me change notification emails . The only thing you need to provide for this service is your email address. No other information is requested.

Any inconsistency between the original printed document and the disk or electronic document shall be resolved by giving precedence to the printed document.

Document Type:	Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number:	RDBCP-11-02-VAPG
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Posted Date:	Aug 12, 2011
Creation Date:	Aug 12, 2011
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 29, 2011 Applications may be submitted either on paper or electronically by August 29, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 29, 2011 Applications may be submitted either on paper or electronically by August 29, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Archive Date:	Sep 28, 2011
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Agriculture Business and Commerce
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:	250
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$37,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$300,000
Award Floor:
CFDA Number(s):	10.352 -- Value-Added Producer Grants
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	Yes

Eligible Applicants

Individuals
Small businesses

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are:Independent Producers; Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives; Agricultural Producer Group; and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures

Agency Name

Business and Cooperative Programs

Description

The primary objective of this grant program is to help Independent Producers of Agricultural Commodities, Agriculture Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures develop strategies to create marketing opportunities and to help develop Business Plans for viable marketing opportunities regarding production of bio-based products from agricultural commodities.

Link to Full Announcement

Program Information

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Food Safety

2011-06-15T05:21:00.001-07:00

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) flagship competitive grant program and was established under section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). AFRI supports work in six priority areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities. In FY 2011, AFRI is soliciting applications through seven Requests for Applications (RFA). One RFA calls for research projects addressing the above six priority areas. Additional RFAs further address AFRI priority areas in five societal challenge areas. The five challenge area RFAs are: Childhood Obesity Prevention; Climate Change; Food Safety; Global Food Security; and Sustainable Bioenergy. These RFAs will support research, education, and extension to achieve significant, measurable outcomes. NIFA will also release a single, separate NIFA Fellowships Grant Program RFA to fund pre- and postdoctoral fellowship grants in the Spring of 2011. This RFA addresses Food Safety.

Link to Full Announcement

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Food Safety

Rural Cooperative Development Grant

2011-06-14T06:11:00.001-07:00

Funding Opportunity Number:	RDBCP-11-01-RCDG
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Posted Date:	Jun 12, 2011
Creation Date:	Jun 12, 2011
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Jul 22, 2011 You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically by July 22, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Jul 22, 2011 You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically by July 22, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Archive Date:	Oct 03, 2011
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Agriculture
Category Explanation:	You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically by July 22, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Expected Number of Awards:	35
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$7,400,000
Award Ceiling:	$225,000
Award Floor:
CFDA Number(s):	10.771 -- Rural Cooperative Development Grants
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	Yes

Eligible Applicants

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Agency Name

Business and Cooperative Programs

Description

Provides grant funds to establish or operate a Center to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of cooperative business.

Link to Full Announcement

Application and Submission Information

New Ag initiative to address food, ag policies

2011-05-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest] With the global population expected to pass nine billion by 2050 and resources becoming ever more constrained, eight leading foundations have announced the launch of an initiative designed to address long-term food and agricultural policy challenges.

Sponsored by the Gates, Hewlett, Packard, Walton Family, Kellogg, McKnight, Ford, and Rockefeller foundations, the AGree initiative aims to spur discussion and consideration of solutions to global food and agriculture problems across multiple sectors, including health, energy, rural economies, and the environment. To that end, the initiative will commission research and facilitate discussion among a diverse set of stakeholders, including conventional and organic farmers, ranchers, nutritionists, energy experts, environmentalists, financiers, international aid veterans, and public health specialists.

The launch of AGree comes at a pivotal moment for food and agriculture policy. Experts predict that over the next four decades the global population will increase 38 percent, swelling the ranks of the 925 million people worldwide who currently suffer from under-nutrition or hunger. What's more, the challenges associated with feeding all those people are likely to be exacerbated by the limited amount of accessible arable land, increasing pressures on fresh water quality and availability, and accelerating environmental degradation.

"AGree will elevate the agriculture and food policy conversation," said Dan Glickman, who served as security of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Clinton administration. "We will make it clear to leaders and policy makers that, while difficult, solving food and agriculture issues is of utmost importance and can help solve other pressing problems including public health and the need for economic growth."

“New Initiative to Provide Path Forward for Transforming Food and Ag Policy.” AGree Press Release 5/03/11.

Supporting Local Farmers and Providing Nutritious Food

2011-05-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

[From Senator Casey's website] : As I am a Member of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms, I know that by supporting Pennsylvania farmers we can also provide nutritious, fresh food for Pennsylvania’s growing children and for all of our residents. With over 1.2 million citizens in Pennsylvania at risk for hunger, we need to ensure this food is available to them.

Low-income Pennsylvanians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will soon have greater access to fresh, locally grown produce at farmers market stands across Pennsylvania, while supporting local farmers at the same time. SNAP, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, puts healthy food on the tables of more than 40 million Americans each month. Pennsylvania's agriculture department facilitates the national program, in addition to several other food programs, through the Bureau of Food Distribution. Pennsylvanians can apply for SNAP benefits using the online application COMPASS, or by filing an application at a local county assistance office.

Farmers markets or farm stands can apply for one of the 145 wireless machines that are being made available with a federal grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Machines will be available on a first come-first served basis. The grant funding is made possible by the Farmers Market Promotion Program, which was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Applications are available at http://agriculture.state.pa.us by searching "EBT Wireless Terminal Application" or from Heidi Crager at 717-787-4956. The machines can also be used for credit card purchases, and training will be offered by the company providing the devices. Card-readers will be distributed until gone. Completed applications can be sent to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Distribution, 2301 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

2011-05-01T07:29:00.001-07:00

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $55 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government 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. Please contact your local State department of agriculture if you are not eligible to apply. State contacts can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to conduct outreach regarding the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill to specialty crop stakeholders, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and conduct a competitive grant proposal process. Applications must be submitted by July 13, 2011.

Organic Farming grants

2011-04-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

The Organic Farming Research Foundation is now accepting grant applications. Proposal deadlines in 2011 will be Monday, May 16, 2011 and Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

OFRF issues two separate requests for proposals:

Request for research proposals; and
Request for education and outreach proposals

If you have questions regarding grant applications, contact Jane Sooby, OFRF's Grants Progam Director, at 831-426-6606 or by email at jane@ofrf.org

Biomass Research and Development Initiative

2011-04-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

For fiscal year 2011, applicants seeking BRDI funding must propose projects that integrate science and engineering research in the following three technical areas that are critical to the broader success of alternative biofuels production:

Feedstock Development
Funding will support research, development and demonstration activities for improving biomass feedstocks and their supply, including the harvest, transport, preprocessing, and storage necessary to produce biofuels and biobased products.
Biofuels and Biobased Products Development
Research, development and demonstration activities will support cost-effective technologies to increase the use of cellulosic biomass in the production of biofuels and/or biobased products. Funding will also support the development of a wide range of technologies to produce various biobased products, including animal feeds and chemicals that can potentially increase the economic viability of large-scale fuel production in a biorefinery.
Biofuels Development Analysis
Projects will develop analytic tools that improve the sustainability, environmental quality, cost effectiveness, security, and rural economic development of renewable biomass technologies. Funding will also be used to develop new tools to better evaluate the impact of expanded biofuel production on the environment and to assess the potential of using federal land resources to sustainably increase feedstock production for biofuels and biobased products.

Integrating multiple technical areas in each project will encourage collaborative problem-solving approaches, enable grantees to identify and address knowledge gaps, and facilitate the formation of research consortia. The agencies are also seeking projects that demonstrate the use of biodiesel in farming equipment and processing facility operations that are used to produce grain and/or cellulosic ethanol.

Subject to annual appropriations, USDA plans to invest up to $25 million with DOE contributing up to $5 million for this year's Biomass Research and Development Initiative. This funding is expected to support five to ten projects over three to four years. A description of the solicitation, eligibility requirements, and application instructions can be found on the FedConnect website, Fedconnect.net and the Grants.gov website under Reference Number DE-FOA-0000510. Pre-applications are due on May 31, 2011 and must be submitted electronically. It is anticipated that applicants who are encouraged to submit full applications will be notified by August 3, 2011.

Food / Ag Sciences Grad/Post grad Fellowship grants

2011-04-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

The fellowships supported through the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program (NNF) are intended to encourage outstanding and committed students to pursue and complete graduate degrees in critical areas of national need, through graduate programs at eligible institutions. The support provided through this NNF program, is a student stipend for the Fellow and a cost-of-education allowance to the institution. The typical period of performance for an award is five years, although a few programs may specify shorter (maximum of five years) periods. For the FY 2011 award cycle, NIFA intends to support graduate Fellowship training grants for both Master’s and doctoral levels of study. Also, Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA) awards will provide support for eligible USDA Fellows to conduct thesis/dissertation research or to undertake studies at sites outside of the United States. IRTA awards for eligible USDA Fellows will only be available as provided for within this announcement. IRTA for current, eligible NNF Fellows must be requested as a stand-alone application. Applicants provide clarity about the philosophy of their graduate training, and relevance to USDA mission science, NIFA priorities and recommendations presented by the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, projected work force needs from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates. Each funded proposal is expected to increase the understanding, development of 21st Century skills, research-based knowledge, assessment, and utilization of technology and resources to advance a first class next-generation, diverse work force in USDA mission sciences. Post-doctoral Fellowships will not be awarded, under this grant announcement. Further, NIFA supports Pre-doctoral and Post-doctoral fellowships in the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (see, http://nifa.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri.html).

Link to Full Announcement

Food And Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants
Current Closing Date for Applications: Jun 01, 2011

Estimated Total Program Funding:	$3,600,000
Award Ceiling:	$262,500
Award Floor:	$4,500

Career Training & Housing for farmworkers

2011-03-18T05:05:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two grant competitions for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. One competition will fund organizations that will provide training, the other housing services, to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

"Our nation's prosperity is linked to the labors of farmworkers across the United States," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "By supporting skills training and related housing services for farmworkers, the Labor Department will help them improve their career outcomes, and that is a win for all of us."

The National Farmworker Jobs Program helps farmworkers upgrade their agricultural job skills or acquire new ones in occupations that offer higher wages and more stable employment. In addition, the program provides supportive services such as child care, health care and transportation. These services remove barriers to farmworkers beginning or remaining in training, and enable them to retain their employment.

The housing portion of the program allows organizations to provide permanent housing assistance, temporary and/or emergency housing assistance, or a combination of both. Specific types of activities allowed are defined in the solicitation for grant applications. Typically, housing assistance grantees provide these services in more than one state or areas of a single state.

The National Farmworker Jobs Program is authorized by Congress in Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to counter the impact of chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who depend primarily on agricultural jobs.

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, community-based and public agencies that assist farmworkers and their families in attaining greater economic stability.

This competition is being conducted before the passage of the Department of Labor's fiscal year 2011 appropriation in anticipation of funds being made available for National Farmworker Jobs Program grants, but the department will not obligate any funds for 2011 grants until they are appropriated by Congress.

Notices of both solicitations for grant applications will be published in the March 17 edition of the Federal Register. To view the full solicitations online, visit http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm or http://www.grants.gov.

Women And Minorities In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)

2011-03-11T12:24:00.001-08:00

Description

This grant program supports research and extension projects that have robust collaborations to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields that are relevant to USDA priorities identified by the Secretary: (i) Promotion of a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for all Americans and for people around the world; (ii) Sustainable agricultural policies that foster economic viability for small and mid-sized farms and rural businesses, protect natural resources, and promote value-added agriculture; (iii) national leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation; (iv) Building a modern workplace with a modern workforce; and (v) Support for 21st century rural communities. Legal authority for this program is contained in Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246), which amends Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925).

Link to Full Announcement

Women And Minorities In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) - FY '11 RFA

Net Farm Income Forecast Up 31 Percent in 2010

2011-01-03T05:37:00.000-08:00

[From USDA]

Net farm income is forecast at $81.6 billion in 2010, up 31 percent from 2009 and 26 percent higher than the 10-year average of $64.8 billion for 2000-2009. Net cash income at $92.5 billion would be a nominal record, 2.3 percent above the prior record attained in 2008. Net value added is expected to increase by almost $20 billion in 2010 to $132.0 billion. The net value added of agriculture to the U.S. economy in inflation-adjusted terms reached its two highest levels since the mid 1970s in 2004 and 2008. Inflation-adjusted net cash income has reached levels not seen since the mid-1970s for the fourth time since 2004, including the forecast for this year. The mid-1970s was the last comparable period when U.S. farming enjoyed multiple years of sustained levels of high output and income.

Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program

2010-12-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-28T08:07:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-20T05:12:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-11T05:48:00.001-07:00

[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.

RUSSELL C. REDDING,
Secretary

Community Food Projects

2010-08-31T07:10:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

[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

2010-06-30T06:10:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

[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

2010-03-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

[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

2010-03-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T03:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-07T06:08:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-05T05:12:00.000-08:00

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.

Aid for dairy farmers

2009-12-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

The USDA has announced a program to benefit dairy farmers, who can apply for assistance before January 19, 2009. The Warren Times Observer highlights the impact this new program may have on local farmers in this article.

USDA to host job creation roundtables

2009-12-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

The United States Department of Agriculture will be holding a series of forums and roundtables, which their press release describes as bringing together "business owners, community members, state and local officials, union members, non-profit organizations, economists and other interested parties. Participants will discuss on steps that can to be taken to grow the economy and put Americans back to work. Some of the roundtables may be regional in order to focus on shared interests, economic conditions and cooperative solutions."

According to DOLETA, "The primary focus will be on ideas to accelerate job growth in rural America. Some of the topics to be discussed are:

* exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local businesses;
* Creating jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure;
* Creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as with value-added agricultural products;
* Supporting job growth among small businesses; and
* Preparing workers for 21st century jobs."

NW PA Agriculture

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

Description

Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program

Agency Name

Description

Link to Full Announcement

PA Ag webinar to focus on financing

Farmers Grow Rural Education program

Monsanto Fund Invites Farmers to Nominate School Districts for America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Grant Program

Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the MonsantoCompany, has announced the launch of its America'sFarmers Grow Rural Education program.

Land Conservation Assistance Grants

Application Period for the Agricultural Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program

[41 Pa.B. 6382][Saturday, December 3, 2011]

Direct Farm Sales grants

Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE)

Eligible Applicants

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Agency Name

Description

PA First Industries Program passes

Value-Added Producer grant

Eligible Applicants

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Agency Name

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Food Safety

Link to Full Announcement

Rural Cooperative Development Grant

Eligible Applicants

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Agency Name

Description

Link to Full Announcement

New Ag initiative to address food, ag policies

Supporting Local Farmers and Providing Nutritious Food

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

Organic Farming grants

Biomass Research and Development Initiative

Food / Ag Sciences Grad/Post grad Fellowship grants

Link to Full Announcement

Career Training & Housing for farmworkers

Women And Minorities In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Net Farm Income Forecast Up 31 Percent in 2010

[From USDA]

Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program

Link to Full Announcement

Conservation Innovation Grant

Link to Full Announcement

Beginning Farmer/Rancher grants

Education and Ag Challenge Grants

Funding for new farmers

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

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

Community Food Projects

Farms in Venango, Warren and surrounding counties eligible for funding

Rural Cooperative Development Grants

AFRI NIFA Fellowships Grant Program

Organic Transitions Program

Small Producer Grant

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

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

Penn State beginning farmer program

Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program

Ag Awareness week: Resources for businesses

Paul F. Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education

Organic Ag grant

CHS Foundation Mini-grants

Specialty Crop Block grant program

PASA Conference

Profitability in the Dairy Industry conference

Organic Ag Research grant

Aid for dairy farmers

USDA to host job creation roundtables

[41 Pa.B. 6382]
[Saturday, December 3, 2011]

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