$10,000 Grant Program Related To Farming

In order to make farmers' markets more accessible to low-income consumers, one state will make $130,000 in grants available this year to support at least 13 traditional farmers' market and youth market grant projects.

Individual grants up to $10,000 will go to applicants with the best ideas on how to improve access to farmers' markets participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once known as food stamps.

The money comes from an organization's program, which promotes the sale of locally-grown food.

Grant Program For Farmers

USDA invites applications for farmer-related grants

The USDA has announced that applications are being accepted for grants to provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups through a grant Program.

"By creating value-added products, farmers and ranchers can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities," said a representative of the grant program. "These funding opportunities will promote business expansion and entrepreneurship by helping local businesses get access to capital, technical assistance and new markets for their products and services."

For example, in one county owners of a farm, received a grant to expand their processing capacity to produce beach plum jams and jellies, juice, and puree for retail and wholesale markets.

Located in Calif., a produce business, independent producers of organic and conventional cooking greens they received a grant for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. With this grant, the owner has been able to expand markets for their products and increase revenues.

Grants may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects.

Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $150 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Visit the website for additional information about the agency's program.

State Grant Program For Starting Or Expanding A Farm!

$100,000 Grant Program Announced For Farmers

Although this is not a new government grant program, they have added additional funding!




In an effort to assist with the challenges associated with starting or expanding a farming or ranching operation one state Commissioner has announced the addition of an additional $100,000 in grants through one of the state's grant programs. This grant program program, which has already awarded $100,000 to 13 eligible farmers is designed to help young farmers enter or enhance a production agriculture career!

Says the Commissioner, "As our population increases, we must do what we can to recruit new agriculture producers and assist current ones with expanding operations to meet the growing demand on our food and fiber supplies. Starting a career in production agriculture is a huge financial investment, and through this grant program we can help give young farmers the capital they need to start or expand much-needed operations.”

These grants are available to individuals who are at least 18, but younger than 46.

Applicants must make dollar-for-dollar matching expenditures to sustain, create or expand the proposed projects.

The individual grant limit per application is $10,000!

The rising age of state farmers, combined with the small number of young people choosing farming as an occupation, raises concerns about whom will fill the gaps of providing food and fiber in the future and that is why this grant program is so important.

In addition to this grant program the state includes 3 programs designed for eligible applicants who wish to establish or enhance their farm or ranch operation, or establish agriculture-related businesses:

• This loan program provides guarantees based on a tiered structure not to exceed $750,000 or 70 percent of the loan amount, whichever is less. The program also provides an interest rebate of up to $5,000 per year to eligible borrowers as part of the guarantee process.
  
  
• Another program can facilitate commercial lending that may result in below-market interest rates. Eligible applicants must intend to use the proceeds under this program in a manner that will help foster the creation and expansion of an agricultural business in the state.
  
  
• This program offers young farmers greater rate reductions. The program is open to any person at least 18, but younger than 46, who proposes to use the proceeds to help foster the creation and expansion of an agricultural business in the state.

For more information about this and other grant programs, visit the website and click on Grants/Funding.

Another Available Grant Program For Farmers!

I mentioned on a previous post about there being a grant program for farmers and here is yet another example of a government grant program that is also being made available for farmers!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture already has a free government grant program for farmers. This program offers farmers small grants
to carry out on-farm, practical research, and then to make the results available to their peers.

This specific government grant program, while small in scale, can have a big impact, since they enhance the knowledge and resources that farmers already have, while providing incentive for sharing these with the wider farm community.

One farm that has participated in this grant program has said that they have not only benefited from the free money grant themselves but they have also benefited from the results of other farmers’ projects. As an example the farm converted one of their tractors to run on electric power thanks to the do-it-yourself guide produced by a fellow vegetable-grower who also participated in the grant program.

Another source of "free money" is unclaimed money. Unclaimed money is money that has not been claimed. It may be available as a forgotten bank account or it can be from a number of sources! You may even have money coming to you if you are a relative of a deceased person and there is money from that person's estate that has not been claimed yet! For more information about unclaimed money just visit my blog The Unclaimed Money Blog.

Grant Program To Grow Speciality Crops!

One state will be receiving a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and they will be using this grant to provide a grant program of their own! They are extending an open invitation for proposals!

The USDA encourages projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
  

• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
  

• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes
  

• Enhancing food safety
  

• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
  

• Pest and disease control
  

• Development of organic and sustainable production practices of specialty crops
  

• Increasing the competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American and disadvantaged farmers. This may include developing local and regional food systems, and improving food access in underserved communities

Grant funds must be used for projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops or that benefit a specialty crop industry as a whole.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encourged to participate as project partners.

A very detailed manual of general program information, application instructions, scoring criteria for applications received and an application template has been prepared. It can be found on their website. While the website provides all of the information listed below, here is a highlight of some of the provisions:

• Eligible crops that are classified as ‘specialty crops’ are listed in the manual. If there are any questions, please contact their office.
  

• All applications will be received and reviewed by our department and only those selected will move forward for USDA approval.
  

• Grant applications are capped at $100,000.
  

• Multi-state projects are eligible.

Payments to recipients will be on a quarterly basis and will require an itemized invoice, a brief interim progress report, and documentation of the work or expenses for which payment is requested. University entities that are applying for grant funds must now have a letter(s) of support from the specialty crop industry representatives. Proposals may not exceed 6 pages in length.
Applicants will need to follow the instructions and format in the manual when submitting proposals.

If you have any questions concerning this grant, please feel free to contact the represenative either by phone or via email.

Grant Program For Special Crops!

*Please note that the deadline to apply for this grant program is:

June 19, 2009

A new grant program has been announced to help fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. A competitive grant process to award these federal funds has been set up and over $1 Million has been earmarked! The intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to the state's specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent.

Projects that benefit the following specialty crops are eligible; Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops are eligible specialty crops. Funding Priorities for the grant program include, but is not limited to: Research and Extension, Marketing, Food Safety, and Sustainability.

Applications are being sought from organizations that seek to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state including; non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges, and universities. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in the state.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

Grant applications must be submitted by 5 pm on June 19, 2009. Please use this link to access the grant application, guidelines, and additional information.

Grant applications with a value of up to $100,000 will be accepted! Grants will be awarded for up to three years. Once all applications are submitted, each one will be carefully reviewed and evaluated based on the criteria listed in these guidelines. All approved projects will then be developed into one grant submission to the USDA. Upon approval from USDA, the organization will notify applicants (sub-grantees) of their status. No final awards to any sub-grantee will be made until a final grant award is made by the USDA. Final approval is expected by September 30, 2009, but is subject to change.

For questions or additional information contact via snail mail address or email

How Would You Like To Have $25,000 To Start A Business Of Your Own? Finalists for a small business grant have been named! So far 50 finalists have been chosen for this year's competition! Each finalist will receive a $5,000 business grant, plus additional products and services! Judges selected the finalists from more than 1,900 submissions. The finalists hail from 43 cities in 23 states, coast to coast, and range from architects and accountants to restaurateurs and retailers. In addition, videos submitted will also be evaluated. Selection of the grand prize and runner-up winners will be based on quality, creativity and ratings from the public. The public opinion will account for 40 percent of the overall score and is based on whether the videos are inspiring, useful or funny. The general manager of this group has said, "These finalists truly reflect the can-do spirit of small business and America's entrepreneurs. It was tough for the judges to narrow the list from the nearly 2,000 entries we received. We appreciate all of the businesses that entered the competition, for sharing their stories of inspiration and aspiration, and bringing the small business community together over the past few months." For more information about this program and for more information on the finalists you can visit their website to find out more.

Grant Program For Farmers

(Yes, ANOTHER one!)

Please note that this specific grant program is a 50/50 matching grant program for farmers and ranchers.

This grant program was started because it helps fund planning and working capital to get new ideas off the ground and put more profit in the pockets of family farmers and ranchers.

This is a competitive grants program administered at the USDA to help producers move into value-added agricultural enterprises. Authorized in the 2002 farm bill, this program aims to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers in planning and capital investment for value adding enterprises.

The most recent information on funding availability and applications is available through your state USDA Office. For state contacts and more information please go to the website.

The specific government office was instrumental in helping to create an expanded value added grant program in the 2002 farm bill to include not only processing but by adding value by how agricultural products are grown or raised, e.g. organic, grass-fed. They helped shape the grant program from a $10 million/year grant program to its current authorized level of $40 million (appropriations have been less in recent years). Since that time, the office has seen an outpouring of interest and demand for this program from farmers and ranchers around the country who are developing businesses that grow their income and bring much needed jobs to their communities.|

These innovative initiatives have strengthened the viability of small and mid-sized farms and ranches and have allowed farms and ranches to grow businesses around production practices that benefit the environment and our natural resources.

The Grant Program

Applicants for the grant must meet fairly strict requirements outlined in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications to be eligible for funding. If you are an independent producer, a farmer or rancher cooperative, agricultural producer group, or a majority-controlled producer-based business venture, you are eligible to apply for this grant.

The specific government office provides definitions for each of these categories, along with other requirements of the program. We strongly recommend that you locate a resource person in your county, state or region that can give you some professional advice on your grant application, as well as your business ideas.

How Do I Start?

Now is a good time to check with your state office or your state’s Department of Agriculture about recent news or upcoming workshops about the program. They can provide information, applications and guidance on when and how to apply for a grant. Set up a meeting with your local government, educate them about your project, and ask them for information about the program.

All completed applications are submitted to the national office in Washington, DC for review by staff and independent reviewers. Points are assigned based on the evaluation criteria outlined. Other sources for information regarding related enterprises or how to apply can be found at the website. This website offers a broad range of information on value and added and direct marketing initiatives. Through links to centers around the country at the state level, the website makes available information on a broad range of issues.

Types of Grants

When applying for a grant, applicants must choose between two different types of activities for funding. Funding is available for:

• Developing feasibility studies or business plans, which include marketing plans, or;
  
  
• Working capital to operate a value-added business or alliance.

Applicants are eligible to apply for only one of these two types of grants each grant cycle. They do not penalize groups who go first for a planning then for a working capital grant.

Matching Funds

The program requires a one-to-one match. A cash match is defined as actual funds dedicated to the project. An in-kind match includes time, equipment, space, staff salaries, etc. Examples of a cash match might be third party contributions from groups, farm organizations or individuals donating cash towards a project; the salary of a person or persons working on a project (cash transaction); travel expenses to attend meetings or participate in training sessions; state appropriations or non-federal funds that have not been spent; bank financing; revolving loan funds; or county financing.

Examples of in-kind contributions include space; equipment; supplies, copies, telephone and other expenses which are dedicated to the project; volunteer time/unpaid services provided to a recipient by an individual or employee working on a project ( non-cash transaction); value of hours of non-federally funded personnel assisting with project, e.g. State Dept. of Agriculture, local economic development agencies, volunteer board members, etc; donation of office space or meeting rooms; or donation of inventory including equipment or buildings.

What Makes My Grant Proposal Likely to Be Funded?

The specifics include a list of evaluation criteria that are used to score applications for strength and merit. Reviewers award points to each application based on how well the applicant has addressed the requirements spelled out in the evaluation criteria. Understanding the evaluation criteria of the program is important and will help you to assess the strengths of your project and application.



Addition Information

The sponsors of this grant program are looking to identify a pool of independent reviewers who could be available to review value-added grants. People with backgrounds in organizing and managing value-added business ventures, writing grant proposals for value-added enterprises, and others who have a history with sustainable agriculture projects should contact the office via email.

Farm-Related Grants Available!

Agriculture is important for the economy of United States and that is why the government offers money for small farm businesses.




Did you know that it is possible for you to try for government grants for small farms if you own a small farm or field and have products which can be sold, but don't have the money to do it?

The Government wants to encourage agriculture and small fields.

In order to be eligible to apply you will need to create a good business plan but you may also be able to get some help with your business plan from some of the related government agencies. Even though the eligibility process may involve some paperwork the effort is worth it to get government money for your agricultural needs! You need to have a good business plan before applying for the grant for farms, agricultural loans or start up money with details like:

• Your marketing plan
  

• Product details
  

• Prices
  

• Distribution

A good business plan also helps you make sure of what you will be doing for the coming five years in your small business. When you have a business plan ready, you will find it much easy to apply. You will have to do the required paperwork for the government funds.

The Economy becomes strong and grows with the help of small agricultural businesses. This is also a source of employment for many people. The Government also wants people to have successful small agricultural businesses and gives government funding to help you.


In order to apply for government money for these purposes you will have to give a few things which include:

• The details
  

• Personal information
  

• Prove of who you are through an ID

If your business plan considered successful and can be marketed you will be able to find cash to buy a small farm through the funds given by the government which includes:

• Low interest loans
  

• Awards
  

• Forgiven loans
  

• Leased land agriculture funding
  

• Government grants

Did you know that grant programs don't mandate co-signers, security deposits, collateral or credit checks. In most cases all that is required by you is to inform them on the progress of goals specified in the application and send in periodic progress reports. This is done to ensure that the funds granted to you are being used as intended.

Teachers Submit Proposals For Grants!

So far over $100,000 has been given out as grant money to area schools for worthwhile and specified teaching projects!

Different proposals have been flooding the offices of the Foundation that is at the head of this particular grant program. Proposals involving the use of everything from Kindles to puppets and high tech software to low tech magnets flooded the office of the Foundation so far this year.

Past grant recipients include:

• one program will bring video based lessons and interactive activities to all elementary classrooms while another program will use puppets to teach autism awareness across the district.
  
  
• pre-school students will become actors in their own movies that model appropriate behavior, an effective but fun way to learn important skills that don’t come easily to younger students.

While the foundation did not identify purchasing technology as a system wide initiative this year, it did fund individual grants for interactive whiteboards, electronic tablets and additional software.

To view the complete list of the foundation's grants, look on line at their website or you can contact them by phone.

There Are Even Grant Programs To Help Start A Business In Canada!

Here is an excerpt from their website:

".......and calls for a mining institute to retrain out-of-work forestry workers as miners, and there is $60 million over five years for young farmers and food producers to start their businesses".....

Again - never let anyone tell you that there are no grant programs to help start a business!

Even Canada has such grant programs!

Are You A Farmer That Is In Need Of A Grant?

Actually agricultural small businesses are eligible to apply.

In my own state of Pennsylvania a syrup-making company received a grant award of over $6,000 because of their energy conservation. This grant program also provides funds to help assist projects developing renewable energy sources and energy efficiency systems.

If you are a farmer and can show energy conservation then you should definitely apply for this grant program that is being offered by the government. This grant program provides funding to help eligible farmers, ranchers and small businesses make existing energy systems more efficient. The department also has other grant and funding programs including funding for day care centers, fire trucks and other community facility projects; the purchase, construction or repair of homes; loans and guarantees to rural businesses to save or create jobs and renewable energy; and loans and grants for water and sewer utility projects.


Other grant recipients of this grant program include a farm in Somerset County that received this grant award for a methane digester on their dairy farm.

Here is an excerpt of what one of the grant recipients said:

It’s not an easy thing (applying for the grant) but it’s not impossible either.