Funding Opportunities

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.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant proposals for project funding as part of a federal program for specialty crops. Approximately $1 million is available to agriculture industry associations, producer groups, commodity commissions, and local government agencies in Oregon. ODA is requesting one to two-page concept papers from applicants describing their proposed projects.

Each year, Mantis presents the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators. Any nonprofit garden program may apply. In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others.

The goal of the CAR program is to enhance the development and implementation of innovative, ecologically based sustainable IPM systems. Preferably, this should involve a diversity of tactics and approaches for a single or specific food or fiber commodity in commercial production for pre- and/or post-harvest systems. The program addresses either a major acreage or high value crop commodity such as key fruits and vegetables. The primary emphasis is on crop productivity and profitability, while addressing critical environmental quality and human health issues. The CAR program funds integrated multifunctional/multidisciplinary research, education, and extension projects for crops with high priority IPM needs as identified by stakeholders and that contribute to the goals identified in the National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management.

The Soil and Water Conservation Society has three opportunities at the international level for scholarships. Opportunities for scholarships are as follows:
1. Research Scholarship—made possible by Kenneth E. Grant.
2. Soil Conservation Scholarship—made possible by Donald A. Williams.
3. Student Leader Conservation Scholarship—made possible by Melville H. Cohee.

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES)
Sustainable Agriculture Team and Agroecosystems Management Program (AMP) are offering
interdisciplinary grants to promote on-farm research in sustainable agriculture. This program is
specifically for on-farm research in sustainable agriculture related to crop (agronomic and horticultural) and animal production systems, that are ultimately intended for human consumption. Proposals must come from OSU CFAES faculty and extension personnel as principal investigators. Interested farmers, graduate students, and members from other agricultural or environmental organizations are strongly encouraged to contact OSU faculty and extension agents in their communities to suggest or initiate collaborative research projects.

The 2010 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy (4Rs) in Schools Program is EPA Region 2’s competitive funding opportunity which promotes solid waste management and reduction in K-12 schools. EPA Region 2: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

Maine Initiatives created the Harvest Fund to provide small short-term grants to Maine groups working for sustainable agriculture and food security. Our purpose is to link environmentally sound growing practices with solutions to hunger that are economically viable and socially responsible.

The purpose of the Beginning Farmer Program is to help beginning farmers and the part-time farmers who now want to farm full-time. The program provides loans for the purchase of agricultural land, farm buildings, new and used farm equipment, livestock and working capital.

The purpose of Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP) is to provide support for and encourage the development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, tactics, and systems for specific pest problems while reducing human and environmental risks. This purpose addresses the broad goals outlined in the "National Roadmap for Integrated Pest Management," developed by federal and non-federal IPM experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in 2004. The successful management of pest problems in commercial production is facing severe challenges due to regulatory changes, emergence of new pest problems, and the development of pest resistance to present management technologies. The greatest impact on current management technologies is in the production of specialty crops; however, other crops, including grain, forage and fiber, as well as animal health, are also being impacted by these changes.

These grants are designed to enhance farmer and rancher networking with other producers, researchers and agricultural professionals. They are targeted for producers to conduct or attend on-farm demonstrations or educational outreach tours in the area of sustainable agriculture. Applicants are eligible for up to $2,000, and the grants are funded for one year. The funds may be used for expenses to attend an existing tour or demonstration or to conduct a tour or demonstration of sustainable agricultural production systems.

NIFA requests applications for the 1890 Institution Education, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program for FY 2010. The intent of this program is to build institutional capacity through stimulating the development of high quality Education, Research and Extension programs at the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, that will produce baccalaureate and higher level degree graduates capable of strengthening the Nation’s food and agricultural scientists and professionals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources.

Oregon farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production or already certified as organic, had until January 22, 2010 to apply for technical and financial assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), but the deadline has been EXTENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. It is still a good idea to get your application in, as we do not know how long the deadline has been extended for. Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations and other state agencies to submit proposals that help to market, transport and distribute United States-produced food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Selected proposals will be funded through the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).