EDC Locher Agricultural Grant in California

The Locher Agricultural Grant is administered by the El Dorado Community Foundation and is made possible through the estate of Carl and Kathy Locher. Carl and Kathy Locher were deeply committed to agriculture and had a strong passion for instilling this love in children. In alignment with their wishes, this grant aims to provide tangible, hands-on agricultural education for youth in El Dorado County, specifically targeting programs that offer direct, experiential learning in agricultural practices. This funding opportunity is open exclusively to 4-H and FFA programs that operate within El Dorado County, California. Programs must demonstrate that they are actively serving youth in the region through agricultural education. The grant supports a variety of eligible expenses that fall under the scope of hands-on agricultural education. Acceptable costs include large and small agricultural equipment such as milking machines, incubators, stethoscopes, and thermometers; supplies like feed buckets and muck tools; educational resources including textbooks and online subscriptions; and infrastructure improvements such as roofs, sheds, and irrigation systems. However, the program will not consider funding for entry fees, scholarships, awards, or payroll expenses. The application process is fully online through the Foundation’s Grants Management Tool. Applicants are required to create an account and can save their progress, return later, and submit upon completion. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement or letter of intent, and the process is straightforward with a single application submission by the stated deadline. Applications must be submitted by September 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Grant awards will be announced by the end of October, and funds will be disbursed shortly after that. The evaluation process is carried out by committees composed of community members and Foundation board representatives. These committees prioritize projects that demonstrate strong organizational capacity, align well with both the applicant’s mission and the fund’s agricultural focus, and address an established need within the community. Applicants are also assessed on the clarity and feasibility of their proposed objectives and budget, along with the sustainability of the project beyond the grant period. This grant is part of the El Dorado Community Foundation's competitive cycle for the month of September and is one of several local initiatives aimed at amplifying good in the community. For further information or questions regarding the application process, applicants can contact Kathy Haven, Director of Grants, Programs and Community Impact at kathy@eldoradocf.org. No phone number is listed in the source materials. The grant cycle is recurring and is expected to reopen in September 2026. All applications must be finalized and submitted electronically by the stated deadline to be considered. It is advised that applicants visit the Foundation’s website periodically for updates and to review the full grant schedule if applying to other opportunities offered by the Foundation.