These one- or two-years grants are conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor. Individual producers may apply for up to $15,000, and a group of three or more producers may apply for up to $30,000. Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared with other producers. Grant recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production.
Due December 3, 2010

FOG is accepting applications from certified organic growers and handlers located in Florida for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of certification costs, or a maximum of $750. Reimbursement for certification costs paid between Oct. 1, 2009, and Sept. 29, 2010 will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. The deadline for submitting applications is Oct. 15, 2010.

In FY 2010, approximately $6 million is available to support the NIFA Fellowships Grant Program within AFRI to provide fellowships to outstanding pre- and postdoctoral students in the agricultural sciences. The AFRI NIFA Fellowships Grant Program is focused on developing technical and functional competence for predoctoral students and the research independence and teaching credentials of postdoctoral scientists in the agriculture, forestry, and food sciences that are within NIFA’s challenge areas through well-developed and highly interactive mentoring and training activities.
Due October 5, 2010

Animal Welfare Approved is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 Good Husbandry Grant cycle. Grants will be awarded for the sole purpose of improving farm animal welfare, with a concentration on three areas: increased outdoor access, improved genetics and improved slaughter facilities. Current Animal Welfare Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible for grants up to $5,000. Slaughter plants working with or seeking to work with AWA farmers are also eligible to apply.
The deadline for 2011 applications is October 1, 2010.

The purpose of this Outreach funding opportunity is to improve delivery of USDA programs in the state of Georgia, and to increase opportunities for underserved individuals, groups, and communities to participate in USDA programs. Outreach projects are expected to result in an increased awareness of Georgia NRCS employees’ regarding the importance of working with underserved individuals, groups, and communities. In addition, these projects will improve Georgia NRCS program delivery to underserved populations.
Due September 27, 2010

The purpose of AFRI is to support research, education, and extension as well as integrated programs by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture, including farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship, human nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, and conventional breeding. In the Food Safety Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing food-borne illnesses and deaths through a safe food supply.
Due September 22, 2010

This grant program is targeted at K-12 practicing educators with cash awards offered to encourage educators to bring agriculture and food systems education “to life” by effectively integrating related content into their classroom or school. Non-formal education applications will also be considered contingent on available funds.
Due September 15, 2010

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering up to $500,000 in funding under the Field Day: Energy Training program for organizations to provide energy-efficiency education and training to Missouri Farmers for the purpose of helping farmers reduce energy costs on their farms. The department will provide grants to organizations to host Field Day: Energy Training sessions at working agricultural facilities where farmers will learn how to identify opportunities for increasing energy efficiency, how to conduct an energy assessment, and how to calculate energy savings and simple payback. The field days will provide farmers with the tools and resources to identify opportunities to save energy and reduce costs at their farms.
Due September 13, 2010