Madison County Agriculture Economic Development

Grant Opportunities for Farmers, Extension Educators, and Ag. Businesses

NYS Department of Ag. and Markets Grants
www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html
Includes a diverse array of opportunities for farmers, businesses, institutions, and cooperatives. Grants vary depending on the year and the cycle, but have in the past included the following funding programs. Check the NYSDAM link above for current programs and application details.

Grow New York’s Farmland Viability Grants
Organic Certification reimbursement program – covers up to 75% of cost of certification
Food and Agriculture Industry Development Grants
Grow New York’s Enterprise Program

USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture) Grants

SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) -
Professional Development Grants
Professional Development Grants allow experienced agricultural educators to develop opportunities for extension, NRCS, and other agricultural professionals to learn about sustainable concepts and practices. Anyone can apply. Applicants should have experience offering professional development programs to the agricultural community and should demonstrate a firm grasp on the barriers to sustainability. Previous grants have ranged from $5,700 to $166,000; the average grant is around $75,000. Preproposal required; invited full proposals are generally due in early November.

Research and Education Grants
Research and Education Grants involve scientists, producers and others in an interdisciplinary approach to important issues in sustainable agriculture. The program emphasis is on projects that lead directly to improved farming practices and an enhanced quality of life for farmers and rural communities. We fund projects that involve farmers and other stakeholders in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project; we also fund projects where research, Cooperative Extension, and education are closely linked. Anyone can apply. Previous grants have ranged from $4,300 to $331,500; the average grant is around $90,000. Preproposal required; invited full proposals are generally due in early November.

SARE Partnership Grants for Agricultural Professionals
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) offers Partnership Grants to Cooperative Extension, NRCS, and other agricultural professionals who work directly with farmers. The purpose of these grants is to demonstrate and encourage the wider use of sustainable agriculture techniques by supporting on-farm research partnerships among farmers, extension, NRCS, and other farming professionals. Partnership projects can address a variety of topics such as the development of beneficial insect habitat; alternative crops or animals; practices that make use of biological cycles for improved soil, plant, and pest management; marketing; adding value; grazing, tool or technology development; agroforestry; farm management; and water quality. Grants are capped at $10,000. Application form is online at www.uvm.edu/~nesare. For more information call 802/656-0471 or send e-mail to nesare@uvm.edu.

SARE Farmer/Grower Grants
SARE Farmer/Grower Grants allow farmers to conduct experiments, try new approaches, test emerging ideas about agricultural sustainability, and share the results with other farmers. The emphasis is on new ideas that advance good stewardship, improve farm profitability, and strengthen rural communities. Grants average about $5,200, and are capped at $10,000. Full- and part-time farmers are eligible. Download applications from www.uvm.edu/~nesare or request a printed application at 802/656-0471 or nesare@uvm.edu.

SARE Sustainable Community Grants
In 2006, the Northeast SARE program has begun offering grants to organizations such as community nonprofits, Cooperative Extension, local governments, educational institutions, planning boards, farming cooperatives, and incorporated citizens’ groups.

The purpose of the Sustainable Community Grants program is to reconnect rural revitalization and farming. Projects can address diverse issues such as land use, nutrition, employment, markets, education, farm labor, public policy, and environmental quality. We seek proposals that will bring together farmers, local government, citizens, community nonprofits, extension, civic and environmental organizations, and others who contribute to community vitality. Projects should support appropriate growth, improved quality of life, a cleaner environment, and farm diversity and profitability.

To apply, you must be affiliated with an organization such as a community nonprofit, Cooperative Extension, local government, an educational institution, a planning board, a farming cooperative, or an incorporated citizens’ group. You must also be able to accept responsibility for the grant on behalf of the organization and be in a position to sign a performance contract, manage the grant, submit interim and final reports using the World Wide Web, and respond to any inquiries. All applications must come from an individual within an organization. Unaffiliated individuals may not apply.

The service area of the organization must be within the region served by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. This region is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

More information and a downloadable application form are available at: www.uvm.edu/~nesare/grants_scomm.htm

USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) Grants
USDA-CSREES National Research Initiative (NRI) competitive grants program “Enhancing the Prosperity of Small Farms and Rural Agricultural Communities"
This program fosters interdisciplinary studies to improve our understanding of the interactions between the economic, social, biological & environmental components important to small farms & rural economic development. Applicants should propose integrated research, education & extension projects that address small farms and/or rural agricultural communities. More information is available at: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1200. You are encouraged to contact Anu Rangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program, if you are considering developing a proposal for NRI funding.

USDA-CSREES Integrated Organic Program
The purpose of the Integrated Organic Program is to solve critical agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities in two program areas: (1) Organic Transitions Program (ORG); and (2) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). For ORG, applications may be submitted by colleges and universities. For OREI, applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. These two funding opportunities are included in the same Request for Applications. For more information, visit: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1141.

Pest Management Alternatives Research Grants
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has released a Request for Applications to the Special Research Grants Program: Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP). PMAP is a national program supporting projects that develop and implement IPM practices, tactics and systems for specific pest problems while reducing human and environmental risks. Applications may be submitted by state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. You can find the RFA through a link on the Northeastern IPM Centers web site, http://NortheastIPM.org or access it directly on the CSREES web site, www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1114

USDA/NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) Grants
NRCS offers several programs and funding possibilities to help farmers and ranchers improve their stewardship practices, including the Agricultural Management Assistance Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Reserve Program, among others. For a list of NY programs, descriptions and applications, see: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html.

Other USDA Grants
USDA Community Food Projects Grants
Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program provides the major funding source for community-based food and agriculture projects in the U.S. The Request for Applications (RFA) has just been released January 12, and $4.6 million in funds is available for 2006. There is an important change in the application process this year: brief letters of intent will be due on February 13, with full proposals due April 13. The letters will be reviewed and applicants with relevant project outlines will be asked to submit a full proposal.

The CFP Program supports projects that: Help meet the food needs of low-income people, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues, and meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for infrastructure improvement and development, long-term planning, or the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers. The 2006 Request for Applications (RFA) is at: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1080.

The non-profit Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) offers free assistance to help you develop a successful proposal. CFSC’s technical assistance specialists can help you decide whether or not to apply, clarify CFP program guidelines, address technical questions, provide feedback on program plans or proposal drafts, and help you develop an evaluation plan. CFSC will sponsor up to 75 minutes of one-on-one assistance per grant applicant at no cost. See www.foodsecurity.org/cfp_help.html for details.

USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) requests proposals from eligible independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures interested in a competitively-awarded grant to fund one of the following two activities: (1) Planning activities needed to establish a viable value-added marketing opportunity for an agricultural product (e.g. conduct a feasibility study, develop a business plan, develop a marketing plan); or (2) acquire working capital to operate a value-added business venture that will allow producers to better compete in domestic and international markets. The maximum award per grant is $100,000 for planning grants and $150,000 for working capital grants and matching funds are required. Application guides and materials available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm. or contact the USDA Rural Development NYS Office, (315) 477-6435.

USDA Small Business Innovation Research Grants
The FY 2006 RFA for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is now posted at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html. One of the biggest differences this year is that the agricultural part of Rural and Community Development has been split off as a new topic area: Small and Mid-Size Farms. This topic area will be focused on developing new technologies to promote the sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size farms and ranches. Grant proposals have to be submitted by for-profit farms or other small business firms but university personnel can participate as consultants or subcontractors. USDA expects a budget next year of close to $20 million and will fund about 90 projects in all areas of agricultural research. Funds may be awarded up to $80,000 for Phase I and up to $300,000 for Phase II. Success rates for applicants have been 17% and 57% for Phase I and II respectively. For more information contact: Charles F. Cleland, SBIR National Program Leader, 202/401-6852; ccleland@csrees.usda.gov or visit: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir

USDA Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants
USDA’s Rural Development Business Program has announced the availability of up to $22.8 million in competitive grant funds for FY 2005 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The applicant must be an agricultural producer or rural small business. For a project to be eligible, it must meet each of the following criteria:

The project must be for the purchase of a renewable energy system or to make energy efficiency improvements.
The project must be for a pre-commercial or commercially available and replicable technology, not for research and development.
The project must be technically feasible.
The project must be located in a rural area.
The Applicant must be the owner of the system and control the operation and maintenance of the proposed project. A qualified third-party operator may be used to manage the operation and/or for maintenance of the proposed project.
All projects must be based on satisfactory sources of revenues in an amount sufficient to provide for the operation and maintenance of the system or project.
The total input from a nonrenewable energy source for necessary and incidental requirements of the energy system will be determined by the technical reviewers.

For more information visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html or contact the USDA Rural Development NYS Office, (315) 477-6435/TDD (315) 477-6447.

EPA Grants
Pest Management Needs of Minor Specialty Crop Growers
EPA has announced the availability of up to $615,000 in grant funds to support projects addressing critical pest management needs of U.S. minor and specialty crop growers. The Agency anticipates funding up to five projects. The project period of performance is three years, with the possibility of extension. Examples of activities that may be funded include (1) projects that enable minor and/or specialty crop producers to take advantage of technical assistance and/or USDA Farm Bill or other conservation programs that can address critical pest management needs by using IPM tools and techniques and (2) those that develop and demonstrate reduced-risk IPM techniques and tools that address critical pest management needs on commercial farms. Additional examples are provided in the Request for Proposals document entitled "Minor and Specialty Crops Integrated Pest Management Special Projects." You may access the full text of the grant announcement at www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/index.htm. For more information, contact Pat Cimino at 703-308-9357 or cimino.pat@epa.gov.

NY Farm Viability Institute Grants
New York Farm Viability Institute Extension Innovation Grants
The new Extension Innovation Grants of the New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc. (NYFVI) will support innovative approaches and programs that focus on extension, outreach and technical assistance and/or business management education and services that address clearly-identified barriers to success for defined groups of producers or specific segments of New York’s diverse agricultural production sector.

To be eligible for a grant, a project must address barriers to the success or growth of individual agricultural production businesses and must include producer participation. Projects must be outcome-based and include an evaluation plan that will show measurable direct impacts at the farm/enterprise level. Projects can cover a period of up to two years.

Proposals will be reviewed by the NYFVI Board of Directors on a rolling basis and those interested in applying are urged to submit applications as early as possible. Guidance and formatting for submitting proposals are found online at www.nyfarmviability.org.

NY Farm Viability Institute’s Applied Research Partnership Grants
The new Applied Research Partnership Grants of the NY Farm Viability Institute, Inc. (NYFVI) provide the opportunity for agricultural researchers to work directly with farmers to make participating farm businesses more successful while developing models that producers of similar farm and green industry products can follow to strengthen their businesses and the agricultural economy of New York State. To be eligible for a grant, a project must address a clearly defined barrier to the success of New York’s agricultural businesses. The project must include an evaluation plan that emphasizes measurable impacts directly related to the profitability or success at the business or enterprise level. Participating producers are expected to make cash or in-kind contributions to the project work and must agree to share information related to project impacts and results.

For projects that may require more than the two-year grant period to realize benefits, researchers must collect baseline information from their producer partners and offer a plan for evaluating the project impact over a longer term. For projects that would encourage new investments or substantial changes in management systems, proposals must include business planning support as an important project component. Proposal format and guidance for preparing proposals are online at www.nyfarmviability.org. Call NYFVI staff at 607-255-7712 for proposal preparation guidance.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Grants
CCE Grants Program for Innovative Small Farm Education -- Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and CCE regional specialists are invited to submit proposals for innovative educational efforts that specifically target local small farm businesses and the families who live and work on these farms. Up to $5,000 is available per project, with a total of $25,000 available statewide. Although funding is available only to CCE educators, if you are a small-scale farmer or part of a local organization working with small farms and you have a good educational idea, we encourage you to work with your local extension educator to submit a proposal.Proposal guidelines and submission forms are available on the Cornell Small Farms web site at www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/projects/grants/index.cfm

Barn Restoration Grants
New York State Barn Restoration and Preservation Grant Program
http://www.barncoalition.com/grants.html - The New York State Barn Restoration and Preservation Grant Program has been funded for a fifth grant round and applications will be available this fall. Barn owners interested in applying (or reapplying) should contact their regional New York State grants coordinator to discuss the application process or how to improve applications from past years. You can also ask to be put on a list to be sent the grant application as soon as it becomes available. To find out who your grants officer is, use the following web site:
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/grants/contacts.htm

The New York State Barn Restoration and Preservation Grant Program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. For more information, visit the OPRHP grants web page:
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/grants/

Other Grants
IPM Partnership Grants for the Northeast
Provides funding to private individuals, public and private institutions or organizations, businesses, or commodity groups. Check the Center's web page at http://northeastipm.org/abou_fund.cfm for details and deadlines. For more information contact John Ayers at 814-865-7776; email jea@psu.edu.

American Lamb Board Matching Grants
Applications are available at www.americanlamb.com (click on “Lamb Industry” and then on “Grants”) or by calling Rae at (866) 327-5262. The ALB developed the Matching Grant Program to expand their marketing and promotions activities by creating collaborative partnerships with industry organizations. The projects that have been funded have expanded ALBs efforts to educate consumers, retailers and chefs at the local level about the quality of American Lamb. (These grants are not available for the promotion of goat meat.)

The grants require a 1-to-1 cash match from the grant recipient. In-kind contributions are not considered for the matching requirement. Industry organizations are invited to submit proposals that expand or strengthen the market for American Lamb. Creative marketing projects which include a collaborative effort amongst industry organizations and industry sectors are encouraged.

For more information including the Grant applications, please call Rae Maestas at the American Lamb Board (866) 327-LAMB

Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Grants
The Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program supports programs, projects, events, and other activities that promote and strengthen agriculture and the food and fiber industries in the region. The program is a shared effort of the Agricultural Credit Associations in the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont and CoBank, with a regional office in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Support ranges normally from between $1,000 and $5,000. Applicants that clearly demonstrate how a program, project, activity or event will have a long-term positive effect on agriculture and the food and fiber industries in the eight state Northeast region are encouraged to seek funding.

Program Goals: The Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program is intended to support programs, projects, events and other activities that enhance agriculture, commercial fishing and the forest products industry in the region. Program areas in which financial support may be provided for include, but are not limited to:

Programs, projects and activities that assist in the development of young and beginning farmers.
Programs, projects and activities encourage leadership development to strengthen agriculture and the food and fiber industries.
Programs, projects and activities that are intended to generate a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture and the food and fiber industries throughout the region.
Programs that recognize the accomplishments of leaders of the agriculture and food and fiber industries.
Programs that are undertaken to study or advance the economic viability of agriculture and the food and fiber industries in the Northeast.
Special activities and events that promote agriculture / food / fiber industry interest.

General Guidelines: Contributions will be made with the higher priority given to programs and projects having a Northeast (eight states) impact and clearly address the program goals. Grant recipients shall take steps to publicize the receipt of the grant in newsletters and similar materials. Statewide projects and regional projects within a State are also eligible. For application information, contact Bob Smith at 413.821.0233w or E-mail alazazzera@cobank.com.

Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers
The primary purpose of OASDFR is to deliver outreach and technical assistance, to assure opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to successfully acquire, own, operate, and retain farms and ranches; and assure equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs. OASDFR will support a wide range of outreach and assistance activities in farm management, financial management, marketing, application and bidding procedures, and other areas.

Applications must contain documentation of the socially disadvantaged group that is being targeted for assistance (see Part VIII, E., definitions 33 and 34.) Proposed projects might include one or more of the following: (1) the use of existing, and the formation of new, outreach and assistance networks focused on increasing participation in various USDA and other programs by socially disadvantaged agricultural producers; (2) further development or modification of farm and ranch management (including marketing) and financial management curricula and materials designed to enhance the potential for farm and ranch ownership by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (3) the development of innovative delivery systems that improve the effectiveness of these programs; and (4) the development or improvement in the means by which assistance is provided to the targeted audiences.

To assure equitable participation by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, OASDFR will give priority to projects that provide outreach and assistance in applying for and receiving aid under USDA programs administered by various agencies within the Department of Agriculture. In general, these include, but are not limited to, loan programs, guaranteed loan programs, allocations of crop base in each program crop, and various conservation programs. Applicants should provide a brief, relevant synopsis on the program(s) they are incorporating in their proposed project.

To apply: The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Request for Applications for 2006 is available at
www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/06_outreach.doc. Remember to download both the 'request for applications' and the forms which can be found under the 'apply' button

Extension Risk Management Education
The Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, at the University of Delaware, announces the availability of grant funds and requests submission of applications for the 2006 Extension Risk Management Education Program. Applications will be accepted in four categories:

County/Regional Level Program Grants
Small and Limited-Resource Producer Grants
Unrestricted Risk Management Education Grants
Multi-Region Risk Management Education Grants

Applications are sought from qualified private and public groups, organizations, and institutions. This program encourages applications that help socially disadvantaged farmers learn about risk management strategies and tools that can be applied to their farm businesses. Additional information is available at the Northeast Center's website www.necrme.org.

Toward Sustainability Foundation Organic Farming Grants
Cornell's Department of Horticulture is seeking competitive grant proposals for research, teaching and outreach in organic farming during 2006. Short proposals are requested from Cornell staff and students, extension educators, and New York organic farmers. All funded proposals must include a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty member as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Goals of the TSF Organic Grants Program are to:

Develop, evaluate, strengthen and disseminate the scientific knowledge base for organic gardening and farming.
Establish and/or conduct systems-level comparative studies of the agro-ecological, environmental and economic processes and impacts of organic farming systems.
Improve and expand the dissemination of organic farming knowledge and information through the Cornell Cooperative Extension system, within departmental teaching programs, and at farms, public gardens or agricultural facilities.
Promote innovative approaches for research, extension and teaching in organic farming.

Contact Wendy Wirth at waw3@cornell.edu for additional information and to request a copy of the RFP. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2006.

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