Farmers and producers are eligible to apply for the following grants.
Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) and Renewable Energy for America Program
(REAP)
What: The VAPG program targets
agricultural producers that are considering entering into a value-added
enterprise or engaged in marketing a value- added product. The REAP grant
program may also assist value-added producers with purchasing energy efficient
equipment.NC State University's Program for Value-Added &
Alternative Agriculture will host three workshops to help applicants prepare for VAPG and REAP. These free workshops are highly recommended for anyone
interested in applying for one of these grants.
When: While the notice soliciting applications is not out yet, prospective
applicants should start planning now.
Web: www.ncvalueadded.org and http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm
Contact: Bruce Pleasant at (919) 873-2031 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
What: The 2007 Farm Bill provides support for farmers seeking
organic certification. This support comes in the form of a grant to the
NCDA&CS from the USDA.
When: The cost share is available for certifications occurring
between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.
How much: The NCDA&CS will pay 75% of the cost of certification up
to a maximum of $750 to the certifying agency. This assistance is available on
a first come, first served basis until funds are depleted.
Web: http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/commodit/horticul/ncorganics/
Contact: Kevin Hardison at 919-733-7887 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Rural Energy for America Program
What: Among the provisions of the 2008 Farm
Bill is the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Managed by USDA Rural
Development, this program authorizes $225 million in grants and loan guarantees
for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Farms, ranches, and rural
businesses are eligible.
When: In 2008, deadlines were April 15th and June 16th. 2009 deadlines will be published on the website.
How much: For the simplified application, total eligible project costs are $200,000 or less (grant request
$50,000 or less). For the full application, total eligible project costs exceed $200,000 (grant request exceeds
$50,000).
Web: www.farmenergy.org
Contact: H. Rossie Bullock at 910-739-3349 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Rural Advancement Reinvestment Fund
What: The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund will make cost-share demonstration grants to farmers, farm organizations, and community groups in Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleavland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties. The purpose of the Reinvestment Fund is to help farmers to develop enterprises that allow them to earn more for their products through innovative production, processing, or marketing approaches.
When: Deadline for applications is January 14th, 2009, and early
submissions will be accepted until December 15, 2008. Funds will be available to farmers in March
of 2009.
How much: Cost-share
support of up to $10,000 will be awarded to individual producers and support of
up to $30,000 will be awarded to collaborative farmer efforts.
Web: http://www.rafiusa.org/
Contact: Joe Schroeder by phone at 919-542-1396 ext. 205, or email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
NC Cooperative Extension WNC Ag Options
What: WNC Ag Options builds sustainable farming communities in our mountain region by providing resources directly to farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations. Applicants are farmers who demonstrate the economic viability of farms in Western North Carolina. Support is provided to farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations to increase farm income and ensure the sustainability of the farm business. WNC AgOptions gives awards to a variety of farm operations, including: fruits & vegetables, livestock, nurseries, agri-tourism, beekeeping and value-added processing.
When: Arrange an appointment with an N.C. Coperative Extension Agent by Dec. 1, 2008.
How much: $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000
Web: http://www.wncagoptions.org/2009%20WNC%20Agricultural%20Options%20Grant%20Application%20FINAL.pdf
http://www.wncagoptions.com
Contact: WNC Ag Options Project Manager at 828-649-2411 x 305
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grant
What: A competitive grants program funded by USDA and EPA to promote research and education about sustainable agriculture. The Southern Region SARE Program recognizes the value and importance of on-farm, producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production problems. In order to capture this producer experience, the Southern Region SARE Producer Grant program is requesting grant proposals from producers or producer organizations interested in conducting research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture.
When: Annual mid-November
How Much: Projects may be funded up to TWO years for a project maximum of $10,000 for an individual producer or $15,000 for a producer organization.
Web: http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm
Contact: John C. Mayne, Ph.D. - Assistant Director, Southern SARE Program -
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Resources: Common Ground Newsletter and other publications - http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/ ; Resources from the Sustainable Agriculture Network - www.sare.org/htdocs/pubs/
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) On-Farm Research Grants
What: On-Farm Research Grant Projects must be developed, coordinated and led by Extension, NRCS and/or non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel who work with farmers/ranchers AND who will conduct the on-farm research with at least one farmer/rancher cooperator and are interested in conducting on-farm research or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture. Applicants must complete a proposal describing their project and explaining how it will help producers understand and adopt sustainable agriculture practices.
When: Annual mid-November
How Much: Project maximum is $15,000 for up to two years.
Web: http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm
Contact: John C. Mayne, Ph.D. - Assistant Director, Southern SARE Program -
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Resources: Common Ground Newsletter and other publications - http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/ ;Resources from the Sustainable Agriculture Network - www.sare.org/htdocs/pubs/
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Sustainable Community Innovation
What: Projects that strengthen both agriculture and Southern communities through explicit linkages between sustainable agriculture and community development, and that improve the understanding of the mutual benefits that result from such linkages.
When: Annual, November
How Much: Project maximum is $10,000 for up to two years.
Web: http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm
Contact: John C. Mayne, Ph.D. - Assistant Director, Southern SARE Program -
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Resources: Common Ground Newsletter and other publications - ; Southern SARE Project Summaries - http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/; Resources from the Sustainable Agriculture Network - www.sare.org/htdocs/pubs/
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
What: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
How Much: EQIP cost-shares 50- to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. Incentive payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not otherwise use without the incentive. However, limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for cost-shares up to 90 percent. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill
Web: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/EQIP
Contact: Your county’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) office
Small, Limited Resource, and Beginning Farmers/Ranchers
What: The purpose of this program is to ensure that NRCS programs are administered in a way that enables small, limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers maintain and develop economic viability in farm operations; to ensure NRCS technical assistance programs and activities reach small, limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers; and that technical practices and information are relevant to the needs of these farmers and ranchers.
When: Varies
How Much: Varies, usually cost-share.
Web: On-Line Limited Resource Self-Determination Tool
Contact: Your county’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) office
ASAP staff can offer limited assistance and consultation to farmers.
|
Grants 