Grants for Small businesses - Agriculture

This funding opportunity supports scientific research projects that evaluate the effectiveness of California's forest management regulations, targeting a wide range of applicants including government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations focused on sustainable land management.

This program provides up to $2,000 in professional services to support small farms and agribusinesses in Chester County, Pennsylvania, particularly those facing financial barriers and led by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

This program provides financial assistance to Maryland farmers and watermen for purchasing and installing cold storage equipment to improve product quality and expand their operations.

This funding opportunity provides up to $100 million to various organizations for innovative projects aimed at developing vaccines, therapeutics, and research strategies to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S. poultry industry.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based organizations, including universities, nonprofits, and businesses, to help outsourcing facilities produce critical medications that are in short supply and vulnerable to fraud.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

The 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant, offered by Texas Woman's University, aims to foster economic development in rural Texas by empowering woman-owned small businesses to undertake innovative projects. This grant aligns with the university's mission to support women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, contributing to the overall economic well-being of Texas communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing rural, woman-owned small businesses in Texas. These businesses must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who also reside in Texas. The grant focuses on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships located and operated within eligible rural Texas counties. The impact goal is to encourage and enable these businesses to undertake new and innovative projects, thereby creating greater economic development activity in rural Texas. The grant prioritizes projects that involve the purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology; farm implements or machinery; the addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; the purchase and installation of fixtures or display units; property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue; and marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity deemed aligned with the program's purpose by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) is also eligible. This focus ensures that funding directly supports tangible growth and operational enhancements for the recipient businesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of new projects by ten woman-owned businesses, each receiving a $5,000 grant. Recipients are required to complete a small business training course, engage in three hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submit an approved business plan with three years of financials. These requirements are designed to not only provide immediate financial support but also equip business owners with the knowledge and resources for sustainable long-term success and growth, leading to increased sales and revenue for their businesses.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist our agency with conducting and implementing important conservation whole farm planning on multiple private landowner properties throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of expanding conservation efforts including irrigation, erosion control, integrated pest management, nutrient management and forestry efforts in Southeastern Massachusetts and the beneficial outcomes it can have on the environment. The agreement holder will also be responsible for providing training to NRCS staff and affiliates as well as customer outreach.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $400,000 and a minimum project award of $200,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand conservation planning to NRCS customers throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from less than 1-acre farms to several hundred-acre farms. Applicants will identify the average number of conservation site visits and written whole farm conservation plans that they could complete in any year with a minimum of fifteen per year being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority conservation site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 conservation focused trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their technical knowledge. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants include: all domestic applicants. Neither foreign entities nor individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to conservation improvements in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist our agency with conducting important integrated pest management (IPM) evaluations on multiple private landowner properties throughout Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of increasing the use of IPM practices on cropland including orchards and on areas privately managed for shellfish aquaculture production. IPM has been an underutilized practice in Massachusetts This agreement will be used to provide training on IPM for NRCS staff and affiliates while also providing needed technical assistance for NRCS customers with IPM site visits.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $400,000 and a minimum project award of $200,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand IPM to NRCS customers throughout Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from 1-acre farms to several hundred-acre farms. Applicants will identify the average number of IPM site visits and written IPM plans that they could complete in any contract year with a minimum of ten per year being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority IPM site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 IPM trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their knowledge on the subject. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants include: all domestic applicants. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to IPM in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is offering the PRODUCT PROMOTION (GTP) Grants as part of the GO TEXAN - Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance Program. This initiative is specifically designed to support GO TEXAN Product Partners at Tier 2 or higher in their efforts to market and promote Texas products that are produced, processed, or have added value within the state. The grants aim to enhance the marketing capabilities of local businesses, fostering growth and expanding the reach of Texas products both locally and beyond. Applications are accepted until May 16, 2024, with the grant program running from August 15, 2024, through December 31, 2025. Eligible partners must be in good standing with the GO TEXAN program and meet specific participation criteria, including maintaining their partnership status throughout the grant period.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.

The Grain Storage Facility Safety Cost-Share Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), is designed to assist Minnesota farmers in enhancing safety at on-farm grain bins and silos. For the fiscal year 2024, approximately $75,000 is allocated to this program, which also encompasses the Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate programs. This initiative offers financial assistance for the purchase, shipment, and installation of eligible safety equipment, focusing on retrofits for existing facilities. Eligible equipment includes fall protection systems, engineering controls, dust collection systems, personal protective equipment, grain silo air quality monitoring equipment, and other specified safety gear. The program reimburses 75% of the eligible expenses, up to $400 per bin or silo, with a yearly cap of $2,400 per farm.

This funding opportunity supports partnerships among local organizations and governments to strengthen regional food systems and enhance local agricultural economies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for conservation projects in Mississippi, focusing on outreach, education, and technical assistance to help socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices.

The FY24 BCRP Clinical Research Extension Award is designed to enhance the impact of previously funded breast cancer clinical studies by extending or expanding data collection, follow-up, and analysis. This mechanism directly aligns with the broader mission of maximizing the value of breast cancer patient participation in clinical research, thereby addressing knowledge gaps that may arise from early trial termination, limited patient follow-up, or insufficient data collection and analysis. By ensuring that the invaluable contributions of patient tissues, serum, other biological specimens, and data are fully utilized, the BCRP aims to ensure that scientific efforts truly value these contributions and maximize their impact in saving lives. The primary target beneficiaries of this award are breast cancer patients and the scientific community. The impact goals are to increase the clinically relevant impact of breast cancer patient participation, accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer, and generate meaningful hypotheses or support valid conclusions. The program prioritizes research that extends or affects the impact of previous clinical trials or studies, or creates new impact in the fight against breast cancer. It specifically encourages innovative research in nuclear medicine to support early diagnosis, more effective treatment, and improved health outcomes for active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public. Key focuses for the research scope include deeper molecular analysis of clinical samples, initiation of new correlative studies, biomarker validation, or continued clinical follow-up of patients in open, ongoing, or completed clinical trials. The proposed research can be hypothesis-testing or -generating, and may also be designed to create clinically annotated and molecularly characterized experimental platforms, such as patient-derived models or tissue arrays. Innovation is not a primary criterion for this award, and projects proposing new clinical trials will not be supported. A critical focus is on meaningful and productive partnerships between investigators, with a Partnering PI Option available to accommodate two Principal Investigators who bring distinct and equally intellectual contributions to the project. Expected outcomes include increased understanding of breast cancer through extended data analysis, validation of biomarkers, improved patient follow-up, and the development of new experimental platforms. Measurable results are tied to valid conclusions from appropriately sized study samples and a clear data-sharing plan to ensure the scientific community has access to generated platforms and molecular data. The program also emphasizes robust research teams with relevant expertise and mandatory involvement of two or more breast cancer consumer advocates who provide objective input on the research's potential impact for individuals with, or at risk for, breast cancer. The overall strategic priority is to accelerate clinical and translational research, especially for advanced state and recurrent patients, and to improve health outcomes for military service members and the public through relevant collaborations and innovative techniques.

This program provides financial incentives to timber harvesting companies and wood-using industries in Tennessee to promote sustainable forestry practices and enhance forest health.

This grant provides funding to organizations and event planners for innovative projects that attract visitors to Snohomish, particularly those that encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy during the off-season.

This funding opportunity supports businesses and non-profit organizations in Lewis County, NY, by providing financial assistance for creative projects that enhance their visibility in the community.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.