Grants & Grant Writing

Get Help Writing a Grant

• Tips for Grant Seekers, from Illinois Resourcenet (a PDF document)
• grant writing assistance program

Grant Opportunities

FUNDING SOURCES for FARMERS and FARMER GROUPS

• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
• Value Added Producer Grant program
• Farmers Market Producer Program
• Risk Management Agency Partnership Agreements
• Community Food Projects
• Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

USDA Grants Announcements

• Assistance Partnership Program announces the availability of approximately $5 million in fiscal year 2008 (subject to availability of funds) for collaborative outreach and assistance programs for limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority Commodities as defined within the RFA. Questions may be forwarded to David Wiggins at (202)690-2686 or david.wiggins@rma.usda.gov.
• Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education Program (Commodity Partnerships Program) includes approximately $3.75 million (subject to availability) for cooperative partnership agreements to deliver training and information in management of production, marketing and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers.  A maximum of fifty cooperative partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any of the fifty cooperative agreements will be $75,000. The RFA package lists the information needed to submit an application for these funds. Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Lon Burke at 202-720-5265 or RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov
• Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (Commodity Partnerships for Small Session Program) includes approximately $500,000 (subject to availability) for cooperative partnerships to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. Priority will be given to educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA regions. The maximum award for any cooperative partnership will be $10,000. The RFA lists the information needed to submit an application for these funds. Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Lon Burke at 202-720-5265 or email at RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov
• Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) announces the availability of approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds to support farmers markets and other direct marketing projects through the Fiscal Year 2008.  We urge agricultural cooperatives, local governments, non-profit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmer’s market authorities, and Tribal governments to consider developing proposals for the 2008 FMPP grant program.  The allocation of grant funds will be carried out in a single round of competition.  Eligible entities must be owned, operated and located within one or more of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.  The maximum amount of any one proposal is $75,000; matching funds are not required. Applications and guidelines available at www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP .  Applications must be submitted by express mail and postmarked on or before March 24, 2008.  No extensions past the deadline will be considered.