Grants for Small businesses - Agriculture

Launched in 2024, the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation's Working Grant Program aims to support individuals in the beef industry, including ranching, beef production, or related areas supporting the beef value chain, who wish to start or grow their businesses. Financial assistance is provided to overcome barriers like equipment purchase, operational expenses, infrastructure building, or labor hiring. Eligibility is determined based on operation in economically depressed areas in Texas or Oklahoma, disadvantaged status, and difficulty in obtaining conventional financing. Grants are not guaranteed even if all eligibility requirements are met, and the foundation retains the discretion in funding decisions. Grant renewed every year. Grant Fall annual opening/closing deadline: November 1st to November 30th

This program provides financial assistance to Michigan's food and agriculture businesses to help them meet wastewater regulations and improve their infrastructure.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Idaho for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Eligible entities include agricultural producers with at least 50% income from agricultural operations and small businesses in rural areas, meeting specific criteria. The program supports a range of projects, including biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind, and solar energy systems, as well as energy efficiency upgrades. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) offers the Section 319(h) Grant Program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution affecting Illinois’ water resources. This program, funded through the Clean Water Act, supports projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution. Prioritized projects include those implementing approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans, with activities ranging from BMP implementation to monitoring and outreach efforts. The program encourages applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to NPS pollution control and offer sustainable environmental benefits. Grant renewed every year.

This program provides financial support to eligible Pennsylvania companies for employee training in key industries to enhance workforce skills and improve business competitiveness.

This program provides essential financial support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them access working capital to sustain their operations.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners in Georgia for forest management practices that help control the Southern Pine Beetle and promote healthy pine forests.

NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of New York A total of up to $500,000 is available for the New York CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $500,000. 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. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 10, 2024. [AF1] 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. Applicants are encouraged to visit the New York State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. The agency anticipates making selections by June 10, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 26, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This program provides up to $1 million annually to promote and support the growth of Pennsylvania's malt and brewed beverage industries through marketing, research, and training initiatives.

This program provides funding to support marketing and research initiatives that enhance wine production and promote the Pennsylvania wine industry.

This program provides funding for potato farmers in Pennsylvania who cultivate five or more acres, supporting research to improve potato production and address challenges like Verticillium wilt.

This program provides funding to Pennsylvania vegetable producers for marketing and research initiatives to improve vegetable cultivation and sales.

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Recovery Reimbursement Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, aims to support farms, integrators, and allied industries directly impacted by HPAI, particularly those within control or quarantine zones. The program is designed to mitigate financial losses by reimbursing eligible costs related to the outbreak. With five rounds of funding, the latest round focuses on biosecurity enhancement reimbursements up to $25,000 per premises, with a total fund allocation of $2 million. This initiative encourages the implementation or improvement of biosecurity practices to elevate poultry farm and business biosecurity standards, address weaknesses, and decrease HPAI cases. The application deadline for Round Five has been extended to May 2, 2024, with eligible expenses including loss of income, mortgage interest, rent, utility payments, working capital for reopening, and payroll costs among others.

This grant enables individuals or entities to engage in agricultural practices on National Wildlife Refuge lands to support wildlife conservation and habitat management efforts without the exchange of federal funds.

This program provides financial assistance for energy audits to help New Hampshire's agricultural producers and rural small businesses improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

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.

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th

Launched in 2023, this program aims to enhance Maryland's strategic sectors through innovation infrastructure projects. With $10 million allocated for FY2024, it supports a wide range of technology sectors and is set to run until June 30, 2027. Projects include various infrastructure developments to foster innovation and growth. The Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program and Fund (Fund) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support innovation in an eligible technology sector. In FY24 $10 million is available for grants to transformative projects that accelerate the growth of the state’s strategic industry sectors. Grants may be awarded to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, or colleges and universities in the State.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers and small rural businesses for implementing renewable energy projects and improving energy efficiency.