Funding Opportunities

The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center requests proposals for projects that support new IPM partnerships and further our mission, which is to foster the development and adoption of integrated pest management, a science-based approach to managing pests in ways that generate economic, environmental, and human health benefits. We work in partnership with stakeholders from agricultural, urban, and rural settings to identify and address regional priorities for research, education, and outreach.

Grants, up to $2,500, are now available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. who are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are for community improvement projects that include activities such as construction or refurbishment of affordable or transitional housing, building, rebuilding, painting, refurbishing, increasing energy efficiency or sustainability, landscaping, planting of native trees, community facility improvements and the development and/or improvement of green spaces.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Grazingland Sustainability Initiative (GSI) is being offered. The purpose of GSI is to encourage intensive management of South Dakota's grasslands to better manage the impact of drought through educational opportunities geared towards sustainability before and during drought while offering annual practice payments for prescribed grazing and rest. Any producers interested in the GSI should contact their local NRCS office located in the USDA Service Center.

The Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute has released a request for interdisciplinary research projects related to food and health. The Institute will award up to one research grant of $50,000-100,000 in each of the following areas: food policy, prevention of obesity and chronic disease, and food safety. Criteria for funding are interdisciplinarity, innovation, potential impact, utilization of new collaborations, quality of the research proposal, and potential for future external funding.

OFRF will fund the development of educational opportunities and materials that are:

1. Pertinent to organic agricultural production or marketing; and
2. Aimed at organic producers and/or those considering making the transition to organic certification.

OFRF will also accept proposals to fund activities that promote information sharing among organic agricultural researchers and organic farmers and ranchers.

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) funds research on organic farming and food systems and the dissemination of these research results to the greater agricultural community. Proposals must involve farmers or ranchers in project design and implementation and take place on working organic farms or ranches whenever possible. Additionally, proposals should articulate how the proposed research project will foster the improvement or adoption of organic farming systems.

The mission of the fund is to address the difficulty that some New England farmers have in obtaining credit for projects that improve their operations and increase their income, as well as for emergency needs. Loan applications for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, for terms of up to five years, will be accepted. In 2009, applicants will be limited to farms located in Vermont or in Western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties), with a primary focus on loans to small- and midsized farms that use sustainable or organic methods (or are moving toward them), and that are marketing at least a portion of their products to local markets.

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) are to: (1)Meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2)Increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; (3)Promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and (4) Meet specific State, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to: (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.

The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program recognizes the value and importance of On-Farm Research in developing solutions to agricultural production problems. In recognition of this, the Southern Region SARE Program is requesting grant proposals from EXTENSION, NRCS, UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL, GOVERNMENTAL AND/OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGO) PERSONNEL WHO WORK WITH FARMERS/RANCHERS and are interested in conducting on-farm research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture. On-Farm Research Grant Projects must be developed, coordinated and led by Extension, NRCS, governmental or non-governmental organization (NGO) or University personnel who currently work with farmers/ranchers AND who will conduct the on-farm research with at least one farmer/rancher cooperator. Applicants must complete a proposal describing their project and explaining how it will help producers understand and adopt sustainable agriculture practices.

The Farmers Market Coalition is excited to announce the availability of Information Marketplace Professional Development Mini-Grants, available to state and regional farmers market organizations hosting trainings for market managers, market boards, and/or producers during Winter 2009-2010. Eligible organizations can apply for one of approximately 16 grants (up to $500 each) to support professional development programs to strengthen farmers markets. To be eligible for this program, organizations must be active Farmers Market Coalition members who have had an organizational representative participate in at least three Information Marketplace webinar sessions. Only farmers market associations, agencies, and other organizations, not individual farmers markets, may receive funding at this time.

This grant for North Dakota farmers can be used for a variety of projects or expenses, but should be directly related to the farming operation, including but not limited to: fencing, computers, seed, irrigation, equipment, etc. The program is available to farms that are certified organic or actively transitioning into organic production; Non-certified projects on the organic farm – for example a free range poultry operation that isn’t certified; Growers whose gross sales are under $5000 who meet the NOP organic rule but do not need to be certified.

The makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings are now accepting applications for the 2009-10 Love Your Veggies™ grant program. With support from its partner the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), the grant program will once again seek to help schools execute innovative programs that will increase the access to, and consumption of, fresh fruits and vegetables in the lunchroom.

The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program recognizes the value and importance of on the farm, producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production problems. In order to capture this producer experience, the Southern Region SARE Producer Grant program is requesting grant proposals from producers or producer organizations interested in conducting research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this grant program is for farmers/ranchers to conduct projects to solve problems they face and develop information on what works and doesn’t work so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same problems can benefit from the results of the funded project.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for project funding that will protect Missouri's waters from nonpoint source pollution. These nonpoint source grants, often referred to as 319 grants, are provided through section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act. Educational institutions, local governments and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for the funding. Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $1 million and projects can last up to four years.

The Livestock Investment Grant is a grant, to a person or entity who raises livestock in Minnesota, for the purposes of improving or expanding livestock production in Minnesota. It will award 10% of a project with a minimum expense of $4,000 and a maximum expense of $500,000.

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) has issued a call for proposals for farmers and ranchers to carry out Sustainable Agriculture research, demonstration, and education projects on their farms. A total of approximately $400,000 is available for this program.

The primary objective of this grant program is to help eligible independent producers of agricultural commodities, agricultural 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. Eligible agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and majority controlled producer-based business ventures must limit their proposals to emerging markets. These grants will facilitate greater participation in emerging markets and new markets for value-added products.

This grant will work to support existing school gardens where students are heavily involved. Awards may be monetary or may be in the form of supplies or expertise.

These one- or two-year grants are similar in concept to the Farmer/Rancher grants with a few key differences. Instead of a producer serving as the project coordinator, an agricultural professional – Cooperative Extension educator or Natural Resources Conservation Service professional – coordinates the project. A farmer or rancher serves as the technical adviser. Applicants can seek up to $50,000 and must have a minimum of five producers involved.

Michigan State University is developing a pasture-based dairy research and outreach center at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) in southwest Michigan. To support the research and outreach activities being conducted at KBS, a Cooperator Farmer Contract program (PDF/77KB) has been established to fund on-farm, farmer driven research, demonstration, and outreach activities. Michigan dairy producers utilizing pasture as part of their dairy management are eligible to apply to this program. An individual may submit multiple proposals.

Sustainable Community Grants make a direct connection between community revitalization and farming. Projects must address specific key issues such as farm finance, marketing, land use, water use, enterprise development, value-added product development, or other delineated topic areas. To apply, you must be affiliated with Cooperative Extension, NRCS, a municipality, a state department of agriculture, a college or university, a community organization, or other institutional entity.

The primary mission of Fields Pond Foundation is to provide financial assistance to nature and land conservation organizations that are community-based and that serve to increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. The Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the six New England states and New York. The Foundation's grantmaking priorities include: project grants for trailmaking and other enhancement of public access to conservation lands, rivers, and coastlines; land acquisition for conservation; the establishment of endowments as a means of funding stewardship of conservation areas; and related education programs and publications. Requests may be submitted throughout the year.

For years Wild Ones members and chapters have worked with schools and nature centers to plant and maintain natural landscapes in these centers of learning. In 1996, the Wild Ones Board of Directors started the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Fund to further foster such projects. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers in all phases of development and increase the educational value of the site.

The Coca-Cola Company has a grant program that focuses on water stewardship. The goal of this program is to support access to clean water and sanitation, watershed protection in water-stressed regions, and education and awareness programs that promote water conservation within communities.

Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, or other technique. A technical advisor--often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional--is required as a project participant. Projects should seek results other farmers can use, and all projects must have the potential to add to our knowledge about effective sustainable practices.

These one- or two-years grants are conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor. Individual farmers or ranchers 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.

The NY Center for Dairy Excellence is offering the first program to bring Dairy Profit Teams to farms throughout the state. Dairy Profit Teams are advisors that help a farm identify issues and opportunities on the farm, develop strategies for change, and offer suggestions. Under this program, Dairy Profit Teams may receive cost share assistance of $2,400, approximately 80 percent of the costs to run a team for one year. The NYCDE has funding to launch approximately 45 teams from June-December 2009. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funding is exhausted.

The Administrative Council of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program announces the Request for Sustainable Agricultural Tours Grant Applications for 2009. With a Sustainable Agricultural Tour Grant, farmers and ranchers will be able to network with other producers, researchers and other sustainable agricultural professionals in seeing and learning about sustainable agricultural production systems. These grants are targeted for producers to attend specific on-farm demonstration and/or educational outreach tours in an area of sustainable agriculture. The maximum allowed per grant application is $2,000. These funds are awarded on a first come basis.