Grants for Small businesses - Agriculture

The 2024-25 Physical and Digital Infrastructure Security Grant (DF) Program for Health Care Facilities, offered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), aims to enhance physical and digital security for healthcare facilities in California. This program aligns with the foundational mission of protecting vital health services and ensuring the safety of facilities that provide abortion-related and reproductive healthcare, which are often targets of violence and vandalism. The grant seeks to mitigate these threats, thereby supporting the continuity and accessibility of critical healthcare services across the state. The target beneficiaries of this grant are currently licensed community health centers, tribal health programs, non-profit hospitals not part of large health systems, and non-profit organizations whose membership includes such licensed facilities. All eligible applicants must be located in California and provide abortion-related services (or referrals) and reproductive healthcare services. The impact goal is to strengthen the security infrastructure of these facilities, creating safer environments for both patients and staff, and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential healthcare. The program's priorities and focuses include providing funding for physical facility enhancements, such as improved security measures for buildings, and digital security enhancements to protect against cyber threats and data breaches. The grant specifically targets facilities that may be vulnerable to violence and vandalism due to the nature of the services they provide. The funding aims to directly address these vulnerabilities, thereby safeguarding the operational capacity of these crucial healthcare providers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a demonstrable improvement in the physical and digital security posture of funded facilities. This could involve a reduction in incidents of vandalism or violence, enhanced data protection, and increased patient and staff safety. The grant period is from September 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026, during which time facilities are expected to implement and integrate these security upgrades. Applicants can request up to $750,000 from the total available funding of $7,798,822. While specific "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed for Cal OES in the provided text, the underlying theory of change for this grant program appears to be that by providing targeted funding for security enhancements, the state can directly reduce risks to essential healthcare infrastructure. This proactive investment is expected to lead to greater resilience for healthcare facilities, particularly those offering sensitive services, thereby upholding public health and safety and ensuring that all Californians have access to necessary medical care without fear or disruption.

This program provides financial support to established beef producers in Missouri for projects that enhance production capacity and operational efficiency through infrastructure and technology upgrades.

In 2021, the California state legislature appropriated $3 million in funding to the Department to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of gray wolves on livestock producers. The pilot program offers compensation to eligible livestock producers specific to the following primary areas of need (prongs):  Prong 1. Direct Loss - Compensation for verified livestock losses (confirmed/probable wolf) incurred on or after September 23, 2021. Prong 2. Nonlethal Deterrents - Compensation for the use of nonlethal deterrence methods to deter wolf presence near livestock. The Department supports the use of various deterrent tools and techniques as part of a robust, integrated deterrence strategy. Technical assistance may be available through CDFW, County Agricultural Commissions, UC Cooperative Extension, USDA Wildlife Service, and other agency partners. Prong 3. Pay for Presence - Compensation for indirect losses associated with the impacts of wolf presence on livestock in known pack territory. Extenuating circumstances may exist whereby CDFW will consider eligibility for wolf presence outside of known pack territory on a case-by-case basis.

This grant provides financial and technical support to Vermont schools and early childhood education centers to improve student health and nutrition by connecting them with local farmers and enhancing farm to school programs.

The Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program, initially established by House Bill 110 of the 134th Ohio General Assembly and further funded by House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, is designed to support Ohio livestock and poultry producers. This program offers grants up to $500,000 to assist in the improvement and expansion of meat harvesting/processing services. These grants aim to enhance processing efficiency and support the expansion or construction of facilities on existing sites. Administered by the Ohio Department of Development, eligible businesses must be for-profit entities operating a Federal or State registered meat harvesting/processing facility in Ohio as of July 1, 2023. Funding can cover a range of costs associated with plant construction/expansion and the purchase of new/upgraded machinery or technology, excluding personnel costs, land purchases, and non-eligible expenses. A total of $14 million in funds is available for Fiscal Year 2024, with grants covering no more than 65% of project costs, requiring matching funds for the remainder. Grant renewed every year.

This program provides funding for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region to develop and share sustainable agricultural practices through research and educational projects.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, and scalable for-profit companies in the U.S. to develop and promote innovative wood products and value chains that enhance sustainable forestry and rural economic development.

This program provides financial assistance to organic farmers and processors in California affected by extreme weather and climate-related disasters.

This program provides financial assistance to Montana livestock producers for implementing measures to prevent economic losses from predation by large carnivores like wolves and bears.

This funding opportunity supports Minnesota produce farmers in enhancing their food safety practices through reimbursement for eligible expenses related to on-farm food safety systems.

This grant provides funding to farmers in Wisconsin to develop and implement innovative methods for optimizing commercial nitrogen use in their agricultural practices, in collaboration with a University of Wisconsin institution.

This funding opportunity supports licensed dairy processors and brands in the Northeast to initiate or expand co-packing arrangements, scale production, and enhance their product offerings.

This program provides funding for research aimed at improving peach and nectarine production for Pennsylvania growers who cultivate 500 or more trees for sale.

This funding initiative provides financial assistance to disadvantaged individuals looking to start or grow a business in the beef value chain in Texas or Oklahoma.

This initiative provides funding and support to youth innovators and agri-tech entrepreneurs developing digital solutions that promote sustainable agrifood systems, particularly for smallholder farmers and marginalized communities.

This program provides financial support to Vermont farms and eligible non-farm entities for capital improvements that enhance on-farm water quality and reduce nutrient runoff.

This program provides funding to organizations and institutions in Maine to support projects that improve the competitiveness of specialty crop producers through market access, education, research, and sustainability initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont organizations that offer business services to agricultural and forestry businesses, as well as to producer associations that promote and represent the state's agricultural and forestry products.

This program provides financial support to businesses and nonprofit organizations in San Juan County, Utah, to promote economic development through expansion, workforce training, and infrastructure improvements.

This funding opportunity provides matching funds to Pennsylvania dairy farms seeking to invest in innovative technologies that improve efficiency, production, and sustainability.