Funding Opportunities

Professional Development Program (PDP) Grants are aimed at helping Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other agricultural professionals in the Western Region increase their understanding and proficiency in sustainable agriculture. The grants are designed to help university and other agricultural professionals spread knowledge to producers about sustainable concepts and practices. Applicants may seek up to $30,000 for one-year projects and $60,000 for two-year projects in a single state or locale.

CSREES announces the availability of grant funds and requests applications for the Critical Agricultural Materials Program for fiscal year 2008 to develop and demonstrate industrial polymers that are manufactured from domestically produced crop materials. In FY 2008, the Critical Agricultural Materials Program will support the development and demonstration of novel, environmentally friendly technologies for use in paints and coatings, and adhesives for composites. The amount available for support of this program in FY 2008 is approximately $1,000,000.

The Strolling of the Heifers awards scholarships to Windham County (Vermont) area farmers and agricultural students who want to take courses, attend workshops or conferences, or pursue other educational opportunities related to farming. Applicants may apply for funding to cover registration or other fees. Scholarship money also can be used to cover the cost of the time on the farm lost by farmers pursuing further education. Scholarships will not exceed $250 per applicant. A maximum of $5,000 in scholarship money will be awarded during 2008, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-proposals are being accepted for North Central Region SARE Research and Education Grants (R&E). The R&E Grant Program provides funds to collaborative teams of scientists, farmers, institutions, organizations, and educators who are exploring sustainable agriculture through in-depth research projects or education/demonstration projects. Projects should focus on improving the profitability of farmers and associated agricultural businesses; sustaining and improving the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; and enhancing the quality of life for farmers/ranchers, rural communities, and society as a whole. NCR-SARE is also interested in preproposals that address the sustainability of various energy alternatives.

The Farmers Advocating for Organics (FAFO) fund provides a way for the organic farmers of CROPP Cooperative to identify and support key issues facing the organic marketplace and organic agriculture. The FAFO Farmer Committee accepts proposals from organizations seeking funding for particular projects or programs dedicated to furthering organic education, organic farming or product research, and advocating for organic standards or policies. FAFO is open to funding both small and large scale projects with a suggested budgetary guideline being $5,000 - $50,000 per year. In addition, FAFO has established a Small Grant Fund for individuals and organizations seeking grants that amount to less than $5,000. Small grant proposals will be reviewed monthly. There are two funding rounds in 2008, with proposal deadlines of June 1 and October 1.

R&E grants fund projects that typically involve scientists, producers, ag support agencies, nonprofit organizations and others in an interdisciplinary approach. Grants average around $150,000 in size. Proposals must include both research and education elements. The application process includes a pre-proposal. Western SARE encompasses Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Micronesia, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces a program to 1) support community use of traditional foods and sustainable ecological approaches for diabetes prevention and health promotion in American Indian and Alaska Native communities; and 2) engage communities in identifying and sharing the stories of healthy traditional ways of eating, being active, and communicating health information and support for diabetes prevention and wellness. Eight to ten awards of $75,000- $100,000 are anticipated. Letters of intent to apply are due by May 22, 2008.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development program funds projects that help Cooperative Extension educators and other agricultural professionals get and use the knowledge needed to help farmers move toward greater sustainability. The program emphasis is on training the trainers, disseminating sustainable practices and technologies, advancing new training strategies, and developing an educational infrastructure that is directly linked to the practice and improvement of agricultural sustainability. Project impact must occur within the Northeast SARE region, which is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington D.C. A pre-proposal is required.

CSREES requests applications for the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program—Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to develop research, and extension projects aimed at improving the watershed health of grazing land watersheds across the Nation. In FY 2008, CSREES anticipates that approximately $2 million will be available to support CEAP projects, including funds contributed by NRCS. CEAP seeks to fund projects that evaluate the effects of grazing land conservation practices, especially with respect to understanding how the suite of conservation practices, the timing of these activities, and the spatial distribution of these practices throughout a watershed influence their effectiveness for achieving locally defined watershed health goals. Applications may be submitted by colleges and universities.

EPA has announced the availability of funds and is soliciting applications from eligible entities and non-profit organizations working on, or planning to work on, a project that addresses a local environmental and public health issue within an affected community. The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is a multi-statute program designed to help communities understand address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. The focus of this assistance agreement program is to build the capacity of community-based organizations to address environmental and/or public health issues at the local level.

The Wallace Center at Winrock International is establishing a National Good Food Network. The Wallace Center seeks proposals from organizations and collaborative efforts to serve as Regional Lead Teams (RLT) for the National Good Food Network. Awards of up to $30,000 are available to a total of seven teams, which the Center will select both for their ability to accomplish regional objectives and their commitment to serving as important nodes of the National Good Food Network. A one-to-one match is required.

The Western SARE Graduate Student Grants in Sustainable Agriculture must address issues in sustainable agriculture of current and potential importance to the Western Region. These grants provide a maximum of $25,000 and may last for up to two years. Applicants may receive only one Graduate Student Grant in Sustainable Agriculture during his or her graduate program. Western SARE will consider applications from graduate students (masters and Ph.D.) enrolled at accredited colleges or universities in the Western region. For more information see the Request for Applications (PDF/146 KB).

The Northeast Region SARE program seeks proposals for research, education and on-farm demonstration projects. The program emphasis is on projects that lead directly to improved farming practices and an enhanced quality of life for farmers and rural communities. Anyone can apply, but a preproposal is required. Project activities and project impact must occur within the Northeast SARE region, which is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington D.C.

The Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program builds sustainable agriculture for healthy farms, communities, & ecosystems by fostering the development, understanding, and use of biologically-intensive & organic strategies. BIOAg has issued an RFP offering $400,000 for projects by Washington State University faculty, including collaboration between research, extension, and teaching faculty, and non-WSU entities. Proposals will be accepted for BioAg, integrated, outreach mini-grants, learning site, or education projects.

The Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space and to water companies to acquire land to be classified as Class I or Class II water supply property. One purpose for which land may be purchased is to conserve land that is valuable for preserving local agricultural heritage.

The Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area in 37 counties of Northeast Iowa seeks to preserve and tell the story of American agriculture and its global significance through partnerships and activities that celebrate the land, people and communities. A total of $65,000 is available this year. Requests for matching grants of federal funds provided through the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area may range from $1,000-$10,000. Funds may be used for technical assistance, educational programs, interpretation, marketing, displays, event programs, and interpretive signage. Eligible applicants must be one of the following: a designated SSNHA non-profit or governmental partner site, a non-profit organization, a local or regional government, or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

USDA will accept $220.9 million in loan and grant applications within USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Loan guarantees and grants are available to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Eligible applicants may seek loan guarantees to cover up to 50 percent of a project's cost, not to exceed $10 million. Grants are available for up to 25 percent of a project's cost, not to exceed $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements and $500,000 for renewable energy systems. USDA will issue one grant solicitation for two separate competitions in FY 2008. For the first competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no later than April 15, 2008. For the second competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no earlier than April 16, 2008, and no later than June 16, 2008. Applications for loan guarantees, as well as those for loan/grant combinations must be completed and submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than June 16, 2008. ATTRA has also put together a 'Farm Bill Section 9006' informational paper. It is available here [PDF/67KB]

The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (PDP) is requesting pre-proposals for professional development projects that provide sustainable agriculture education and outreach strategies for Cooperative Extension Service personnel, Natural Resources Conservation Service staff and others who work directly with farmers and ranchers. Training activities may include seminars, workshops, farm tours, or on-farm demonstrations. Or they may develop, market and distribute training materials such as handbooks or videos. Activities may take place in a single state, multiple states or throughout the entire southern region.

The Southern Region USDA Program on Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is requesting proposals for Graduate Student research projects that address issues of sustainable agriculture of current and potential importance to the Southern Region and the nation. The Southern SARE Graduate Student Grants in Sustainable Agriculture grants a one-time project maximum of $10,000. The Southern SARE program will only consider proposals submitted, and to be conducted, by graduate students (masters and Ph.D.) enrolled at an accredited college or university in the Southern Region. The Southern Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Wisconsin will make $300,000 in grant funds available over the next year to help dairy processors create and sell more products. Anyone involved with dairy products processing including cheese companies, milk bottlers, artisan and farmstead operations, or yogurt makers, is eligible to apply. The maximum grant award is $35,000. The grants are for individuals or groups, businesses and organizations to help fund projects geared at innovation, market development or modernization of dairy processing. Eligible project expenses include working capital, marketing expenses, and professional services necessary to implement the project.

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE)Professional Development Program (PDP) is requesting pre-proposals for professional development projects that provide training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system. Approximately $400,000 will be available for funding projects. The North Central Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The goal of RAFI's Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund is to keep farmers in farming and maintain the economic base of North Carolina’s rural communities. The Reinvestment Fund aims to assist farmers and rural communities in selected North Carolina counties to develop new sources of agricultural income through provision of cost-share grants. In 2008, the Reinvestment Fund will make two types of demonstration awards: Producer Grant Awards of up to $10,000 for individuals and Community Grant Awards of up to $20,000 for collaborative farmer projects.

The Southern Region USDA Program on Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is requesting preproposals for research and education activities that address issues of sustainable agriculture of current and potential importance to the region and nation. Each proposal must address one of the priority areas identified by the SARE Administrative Council: 1) limited resource farmers; 2) organic farming systems; 3) environmentally sound practices/agricultural ecosystems; 4) marketing/economic development; 5) policy, program evaluation, and quality of life; 6) women in sustainable agriculture. The Southern Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

One component of the National Research Initiative is the Agricultural Prosperity for Small & Medium Sized Farms Program. Proposals for this program must be "integrated," i.e. contain at least two of three functions: research, outreach, and education. This year the program is highlighting involvement of Extension personnel & curriculum development that involves K-12 teachers. The program also encourages applications on sustainable biofuel production.

USDA Economic Research Service's Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program is now accepting proposals for grants and cooperative agreements for fiscal 2008. The three priority research areas are (1) Food Choices: Economic Determinants and Consequences, (2) Economic Incentives in Food Assistance Programs, and (3) Food Assistance as an Economic Safety Net. Funding for competitive awards in fiscal 2008 is approximately $2 million.

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has issued its Request for Proposals for organic research and education projects for Spring and Fall 2008 grants. OFRF offers funds for research on any topic that will improve organic production systems, and for education and outreach projects to share organic farming information with current organic producers and to farmers and ranchers considering transitioning their operations to organic. Proposals may request awards of up to $15,000 per year ($20,000 for fruit projects). Multi-year funding will be considered for fruit projects.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is soliciting proposals to support efforts by the agricultural community to "transition" away from high-risk pesticides to the use of less and reduced-risk pesticides, alternative methods of agricultural pest control, and sustainable practices in food production. The Strategic Agricultural Initiative program supports grants for education, extension, demonstration, and implementation of reduced risk practices for pest management. Implementation of all projects must occur within one or more of the four states of EPA Region 7: Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.

The Secretary of Agriculture is directed under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to "make grants to States for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to be used by State departments of Agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops." All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible. Applications will be accepted from any "State Department of agriculture," agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within the State. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Each State department of agriculture that submits an application that is reviewed and approved by the USDA is to receive $100,000. In addition, AMS will allocate the remainder of the grant funds based on the value of specialty crop production in each state in relation to the national value of specialty crop production.