Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP)

The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) is a funding initiative administered by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB), specifically through its Market Development Branch. This program is aimed at enhancing food security by supporting small-scale, locally driven agricultural projects that increase the quantity and quality of food produced in Hawai‘i. It aligns with state and federal efforts to bolster self-reliant food systems, particularly in communities that face higher risks of food insecurity. The program utilizes a fixed-amount subaward model, providing microgrants of $5,000 to individual applicants and $10,000 to qualifying organizations. The purpose of MGFSP is to support gardening, livestock, and apiary projects that can deliver measurable outcomes in local food production and consumption. Eligible applicants must be Hawai‘i residents aged 18 or older. The funds are to be used exclusively within one of three project categories: Category A for gardening (e.g., soil amendments, seeds, composting, irrigation systems), Category B for livestock and herding (e.g., fencing, feed, poultry purchases), and Category C for apiary development (e.g., bees, honey-processing supplies). Applicants are required to select only one category, and their proposed budget must total exactly $5,000 to avoid disqualification. Applications for FY24 funding open on January 19, 2026, and close promptly at 12 P.M. Noon on February 19, 2026. Submissions must be completed online and timestamped by the HDOA time clock. All applicants must confirm their eligibility, including Hawai‘i residency and age. Individuals are required to submit project descriptions that detail their objectives, anticipated food output, beneficiary impact, project site, and a timeline for completion within one year. No application fee is required, but incomplete or erroneous applications, including those not reaching the $5,000 fixed budget requirement or lacking a physical project address, will be automatically disqualified. Funding decisions involve a joint review by both the USDA and the DAB, with awards announced by late June 2026. Successful applicants can expect to receive their funds between November and December 2026. Awardees must agree to use funds strictly as listed in their applications and are required to retain receipts and documentation. Projects are expected to be completed within a 12-month period, during which grantees must track and report their food production outcomes, share photographic documentation, and submit a final performance report. Reporting requirements are simplified for FY24 subawardees, who are only obligated to submit one final report. The MGFSP emphasizes accountability and compliance. Grant recipients must also acknowledge liability terms, reporting obligations, and readiness for random audits. While matching funds are not required for individuals, organizations are subject to a 10% cash match requirement. Organizational applicants will be invited to apply through a separate solicitation. If prospective applicants encounter barriers to accessing the online application, DAB staff are available for assistance via email or phone. Additional application guidance, eligibility clarifications, and frequently asked questions are accessible through the program’s website. For questions or assistance, applicants can contact the DAB Micro-Grants team at [email protected] or call 808-973-9594.

Submit only one category with exact $5,000 budget; PO Boxes not allowed as project addresses; Include clear outcomes and quantities.