New Announcements

Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program - Deadline: November 17, 2011

Additional Information on Eligibility:
Only private, nonprofit entities meeting the following three requirements are eligible to receive a CFP, PP or TCB grant: (a) have experience in the area of (i) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers; or (ii) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities; (b) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; and (c) demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results.

Description:
To support: (1) the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining; (2) Planning Projects to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions to help ensure food security in communities; and (3) a project that provides Training and Capacity Building on a nationwide basis to entities interested in developing new Community Food Projects or assisting current grantees and others to effectively operate their food security projects.

Click here for full announcement.

Value Added Services Funding Available - Deadline: March 31, 2011
The AIDC is a new, private non-profit organization created to increase agricultural producer access to value added opportunities. The AIDC invites proposals for projects that provide direct services to producers and assist them to market or produce value added agricultural products, other than dairy. Dairy producers interested in similar assistance can already apply to the Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC), a private nonprofit that provides technical, marketing, and business planning support to dairy business. Information about DBIC can be found at www.dbicusa.org or by contacting Kathy Brown at 262-740-2175 or Norm Monsen of DATCP at 608-224-5135.

Value Added Services Funding is not a grant program that awards funds directly to a producer or group of producers. Funding will be provided directly to a service provider or an organization that proposes to subcontract with a service provider.

Eligible services for producers provided by this Value Added Services Funding may include:
1) Technical assistance, consisting of engineering services, applied research, & product development.
2) Assistance in marketing, market development and business planning.
3) Organizational, outreach, and development assistance.

Individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations involved in agriculture are encouraged to apply. Proposals may involve collaborations or partnerships between producers, industry, academia, or agricultural organizations. Applicants may cooperate with any public or private organization. The AIDC has allocated $350,000 for value added producer service projects in 2011. The maximum award is $50,000 per project. Additional information and application materials are available online at datcp.wisconsin.gov under Business, Ag Innovation & Development. For questions about the funding or completing the application, contact Linda Merriman Hitchman by e-mail at linda.merrimanhitchman@wisconsin.gov or at 608-224-5132.

2011 Specialty Crop Block Grant Request for Proposals - Deadline: March 15, 2011
In anticipation of receiving USDA 2011 SCBG funding, the WI DATCP will be accepting specialty crop block grant proposals through Tuesday, March 15 at 4:00pm. Download the crop grant manual and application materials to learn more, or visit datcp.wi.gov/ and search for "specialty crop block grant".

USDA Rural Energy Grant and Loan Applications Open
A total of $87 million is available in FY2010 for projects to develop and/or construct renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements...more.

Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG)
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...more. Find the contact person for your state.

Guide to USDA Funding for Local and Regional Food Systems
This new publication by NSAC identifies and explains key programs that can help community based organizations and others that are working to build infrastructure, provide training to farmers, research new marketing opportunities, and otherwise working to strengthen regional food systems.

New USDA pilot program will fund one hoop house per farm
This program is part of a pilot project to see 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. The size of the high tunnel funded by EQIP is limited to 2178 sq. ft. Payment rate is $1.86/sq. ft. The practice must be sited on existing cropland that has an active crop production history. To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects, contact your local NRCS office.

Building Sustainable Places Guide
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and several USDA agencies have just released this 108-page guide. The new guide covers 64 grant, loan, and other resources from USDA and other federal agencies. This Guide aims to help farmers, landowners, consumers, small businesses and others who are interested in sustainable agriculture in both rural and urban areas identify federal programs that could advance their interests. The Guide is available in hard copy and also on the website of NCAT's Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) program. To obtain a free hard copy of the guide, please contact ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service at (800) 346-9140 or e-mail Debbie at debbier@ncat.org.