Grants/Funding
Opportunities
The
program information below is based on current and/or recent year
program information. Grantmaking programs may change
year-to-year, so Southern SAWG encourages you to do your homework
before applying for any grants to ensure current programs fit your
goals.
Categories:
Sustainable Farming
Food & Communities
Outreach & Assistance
Research, Education, & Professional Development
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Sustainable Farming
USDA SARE Southern Region Agricultural Sustainability Grants
The
Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program typically offers three different competitive grant programs,
including producer grants, on-farm research grants, and sustainable
community grants. For more info: Southern Region SARE Program web site, or call 770-412-4787 to request a printed copy.
USDA CSREES Integrated Organic Program
The Integrated Organic Program
uses part of its funding to support long-term projects lasting for 48
months. Applicants must state in their applications that they are
seeking long-term support.
At least some of the Integrated Organic Program funds are directed toward sponsoring workshops or symposia.
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Organic Farming Research
Foundation (OFRF) has special funds available to fund research and
education projects related to organic fruit production up to $20,000
per year.
OFRF has a general grantmaking program
open to any topic related to organic agriculture at a level of $15,000
per year. 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.
OFRF particularly encourages farmers, ranchers, researchers, and extension personnel to apply for funding.
Food & Communities
USDA CSREES Community Food Projects Grants
The Community Food Projects
(CFP) Competitive Grants Program is a major funding source for
community-based food and agriculture projects in the U.S. Community
Food Projects should be designed to (1): (A) meet the food needs of
low-income people; (B) increase the self-reliance of communities in
providing for their own food needs; and (C) promote comprehensive
responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and/or (2) meet
specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for
(A) infrastructure improvement and development; (B) planning for
long-term solutions; or (C) the creation of innovative marketing
activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income
consumers.
HHS Take Action: Healthy People, Places and Practices in Communities Projects
With
a focus on evaluating the impact of a unique set of healthy lifestyles
activities in local settings that support the President's HealthierUS
initiative, the proposed activities should address one or more of the
four parts of the President's HealthierUS initiative: 1)be physically
active, 2) eat a nutritious diet, 3) get preventive screenings, and 4)
make healthy choices/avoid risky behaviors.
Outreach & Assistance
USDA RMA Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Grants
This program provides funding
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 in
Part I.C.
Research, Education, Professional Development
USDA SARE Research and Education Grants
Research and Education grants
are usually conducted by multi-institution, interdisciplinary
professional research teams seeking new knowledge that will benefit
farmers financially while protecting their natural resources and
improving the quality of life in rural communities. Recent awards
include a study of how farmers learn and an evaluation of cover crops
for organic strawberry production.
USDA SARE Professional Development Grants
Professional Development grants
focus on training cooperative extension agents and other ag
professionals who work with farmers. Recent projects include curriculum
development for ag professionals who work with sheep and goat producers.
USDA Graduate Student Grants
Graduate Student grants pay for
research activities conducted by a Masters or Ph.D. student. Recent
projects include a study of the weed-suppression potential of rye as a
cover crop and an evaluation of northern cardinal predation of cabbage
worms.
USDA CSREES Conservation Effects Assessment Grants
In the past, the goal has been
to build a knowledge base that can be used to evaluate impacts of
conservation practices and programs on water resources, improve the
management of agricultural landscapes to achieve environmental goals
and inform policy decisions. This is a joint effort with USDA’s
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
2008 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program Announced
$36 million in funding available
Farmers, ranchers and rural small
businesses have new opportunities to install energy efficiency upgrades
and new renewable energy systems.
Section 9006 clean energy grant and loan
guarantee program. The program rules are similar to last year's, with a
few changes. Congress recently boosted total 2008 funding for this
program from $23 million to $36 million in recognition of the value and
demand for Section 9006.
Below are key changes for 2008:
Grants: For grants, the USDA is making
$15.9 million available for 2008 (though more may come later from
unused loan guarantee allocations). The USDA has established two grant
cycles this year, with application deadlines of April 16th and June
16th. 50% of the grant funding will be set aside for each cycle.
Applications not funded in the first cycle will be reconsidered in the
second cycle.
Loan Guarantees: USDA will review and
decide applications for loan guarantees on a continuous basis, but must
be received by USDA no later than June 16th. Applications for combined
loan guarantee-grants will be reviewed bi-weekly and USDA also must
receive those applications no later than June 16th. The USDA has
provided funding resulting in $205 million in loan guarantees
(leveraging $19.9 million from original Congressional funding).
On-Line Applications: Grant applicants have the option to submit applications online from www.grants.gov
and submit their application electronically. (At the time of this
writing, the application is not yet available). Loan guarantee
applications can only be submitted in paper form.
Further Information: Further information
on the program including frequently asked questions, official
application forms and templates, checklists, tips, case studies,
application instructions and regulations can be found at www.farmenergy.org.
We
will gladly post grant opportunities available to those working
in sustainable agriculture in the South. Submit call for proposals
for consideration to: info@ssawg.org.
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