WSDA Equipment Plus Grant

The Equipment Plus grant is a component of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program. This initiative is designed to support local food supply chains and expand market access for farms, ranches, food processors, and distributors across Washington. With the aim of improving the post-harvest ecosystem for Washington-grown, caught, and raised foods, the grant funds infrastructure improvements that facilitate aggregation, processing, storage, manufacturing, distribution, or sale of local food products. By targeting critical gaps in infrastructure and market access, WSDA intends to promote resilience, innovation, and sustainability in the state's local food economy. The Equipment Plus category specifically provides funding for equipment purchases and minor facility improvements that address infrastructure barriers for farms and food businesses. Eligible expenses may include food processing and storage equipment, delivery vehicles, software upgrades, safety improvements, and modest modifications like electrical or plumbing work to support new equipment. Origination fees related to loans directly supporting the proposed project are also allowed. However, expenses such as major facility improvements, agricultural inputs, livestock purchases, or costs incurred outside the grant term are not eligible. This is a reimbursement-only grant, and awardees must first pay for approved costs before requesting repayment. The grant is open to small and mid-size, owner-operated farms or ranches located in Washington that sell some of their products in-state and have annual gross farm income under $1 million for 2024. It is also open to food businesses with fewer than 100 employees whose primary function is related to the local food supply chain, as well as nonprofit, tribal, or local government entities that enable these types of businesses to access Washington markets. Importantly, the grant cannot be used for sub-awards or pass-through funding. All applicants must directly support the sale of Washington-grown, caught, or raised food for human consumption. Applicants must choose between two project timelines: Timeline A runs from February to June 30, 2026, and Timeline B runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Timeline A has $2.8 million in total funding, expected to support around 50 projects, while Timeline B has $1.2 million, projected to support about 20 projects. The minimum funding request is $15,000, and the maximum is $75,000 per project. There is no requirement for matching funds. Grant-funded equipment and improvements must remain in use for at least three years after the grant agreement ends. The application window opens on August 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. PST and closes on October 28, 2025, at 4 p.m. PST. Applications must be submitted in English, although materials and support may be available in other languages upon request. WSDA will host webinars and open office hours to assist with applications. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the grant’s purpose, the clarity of their timeline, feasibility, budget reasonableness, and contributions to local food system resilience. Bonus points are awarded to new applicants and small businesses that meet additional criteria. Award notifications are expected by January 2026 for Timeline A and by March 2026 for Timeline B. If awarded, applicants must complete state registration and obtain a Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov before signing the grant agreement. WSDA emphasizes a transparent and competitive process and provides a structured complaint and protest procedure. Grant recipients must complete quarterly progress and final impact reports, and may be subject to site visits and audits for up to three years post-grant.

WSDA recommends reviewing the evaluation rubric closely, attending informational webinars, and preparing documentation of specific market opportunities and budget estimates. Bonus points are awarded to small or first-time applicants.