Agriculture Grants

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) National Workforce Strategy (WIC Workforce National Strategy), is part of a joint agency initiative between the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that is expected to cultivate comprehensive and sustained solutions for WIC workforce development. The joint agency initiative aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce, with the ultimate goals of increasing: 1) WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled; and 2) WIC participants use of benefits and services, including nutrition education and breastfeeding support. NIFA requires that applications for WIC Workforce Implementation Projects respond to and implement components of the National WIC Workforce Strategy. They should assess and address regional and national priorities, target critical workforce needs, and increase the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce.

The 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 energy efficient agricultural operation evaluations on multiple private landowner properties throughout Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of incorporating on-site energy evaluations on agricultural operations including greenhouses and the beneficial outcomes it can have on the environment. Energy Efficient Agricultural Operations (conservation standard 374) has been an underutilized practice in Massachusetts. This agreement will be used to provide training on energy efficiency for NRCS staff and affiliates while also providing needed technical assistance for NRCS customers with energy focused 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 energy efficiency 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 energy efficiency site visits and written on-site energy improvement plans that they could complete in any 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 energy site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 energy efficiency focused 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 contract. 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 agriculture energy 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 Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 21, 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative. This opportunity is intended to support initiatives described to promote the export of U.S. specialty crops to current and prospective foreign markets with three Tracks. Track 1: Alignment of Asian pesticide regulatory systems and trade facilitative MRLsThis track will support harmonization of MRL systems in Asia with the adoption and implementation of risk-based pesticide regulatory systems and MRL setting consistent with Codex and/or the U.S. system, countering hazard-based policies and practices.Track 2: Alignment of Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) pesticide regulatory systems and trade facilitative MRLsThis track provides bilateral and/or regional technical assistance to partner countries in LACs regional economic communities (e.g., the Central American Regional Economic Community, the Andean Community (CAN), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)).Track 3: Alignment of pesticide regulatory systems and trade facilitative MRLs in AfricaThe track aims to build capacity on pesticide registration and MRL setting to support the development and implementation of risk-based pesticide regulatory systems and MRL policy consistent with Codex and/or the U.S. system and based on the WTO SPS Agreement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative. This opportunity is intended to promote the development of sustainable packaging of U.S. specialty crops exported to current and prospective foreign markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative. This opportunity is intended to promote the export of U.S. specialty crops to current and prospective foreign markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative. This opportunity is to promote the export of U.S. specialty crops to current and prospective foreign markets.

Dates: Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024, through Grants.gov. Applications received after this date may be considered if funds are available.Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), requests applications for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program, collectively referred to as the OCCSP, for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The purpose of the OCCSP awards is to defray the costs of receiving and maintaining organic certification.In FY 2024, the available funding for these two programs is approximately $9.5 million for the NOCCSP and $943,000 for the AMA. FSA awards the OCCSP funds to eligible State Agencies* that serve as administering entities, to reimburse organic operations for specific organic certification costs. This is the initial request for applications, which outlines the eligibility and performance criteria for State Agencies seeking NOCCSP and AMA funding in FY 2024. For eligible certification costs incurred from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, organic operations may request reimbursement until October 31, 2024, unless the State Agency requests and receives approval for a different application deadline. The State Agencies may provide reimbursements to certified organic operators for 75% of the operations total allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope: crops, livestock, wild crops, handling (i.e., processing), and State Organic Program fees. * The use of State Agencies throughout this document refers to the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and 5 U.S. Territories including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Dates: Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024, through Grants.gov. Applications received after this date may be considered if funds are available.Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), requests applications for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program, collectively referred to as the OCCSP, for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The purpose of the OCCSP awards is to defray the costs of receiving and maintaining organic certification.In FY 2024, the available funding for these two programs is approximately $9.5 million for the NOCCSP and $943,000 for the AMA. FSA awards the OCCSP funds to eligible State Agencies* that serve as administering entities, to reimburse organic operations for specific organic certification costs. This is the initial request for applications, which outlines the eligibility and performance criteria for State Agencies seeking NOCCSP and AMA funding in FY 2024. For eligible certification costs incurred from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, organic operations may request reimbursement until October 31, 2024, unless the State Agency requests and receives approval for a different application deadline. The State Agencies may provide reimbursements to certified organic operators for 75% of the operations total allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope: crops, livestock, wild crops, handling (i.e., processing), and State Organic Program fees. * The use of State Agencies throughout this document refers to the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and 5 U.S. Territories including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The purpose of the Tribal Colleges Extension Program: Special Emphasis (TCEP-SE) is to support pilot projects in Extension at the 1994 Land-Grant institutions. A pilot project allows Extension offices to be responsive to community needs through projects that address youth, agriculture, economic development, or other issues important to stakeholders. The TCEP-SE is intended to be a component of the applicant 1994 institutions land-grant roadmap or strategic planning process and can be used to supplement their existing Tribal Colleges Extension Program (TCEP) capacity project by extending the reach of innovations in research and technology and enhancing informal, local educational programming.

This notice announces the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2024 and solicits applications from community-based and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities to compete for financial assistance through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (hereinafter referred to as the 2501 Program). The term veteran, as used in this program, refers to military veterans. The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to encourage and assist underserved farmers and ranchers, military veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs offered by USDA. It also includes projects that develop underserved youths' interest in agriculture. In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agricultural-related services, and USDA programs, and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to accomplish those goals. This partnership includes working closely with OPPE, attend OPPE-led events in your proposed service territory, and collaborate with USDA Service Centers located in your state (Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development).

USDA/FAS will accept applications for projects in the following priority countries: Angola, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Malawi, and Rwanda. Of these, Angola and El Salvador are countries that do not currently have active McGovern-Dole projects. Applicants are advised to refer to Appendix B: Country Specific Guidance for country-specific information on program emphasis and agency priorities. USDA/FAS will also accept applications for non-priority countries; however, it will prioritize funding applications for the identified priority countries. McGovern-Dole projects are implemented in low-income, food-deficit countries globally.

The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The commodities are generally sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural development activities.Food for Progress has two high-level strategic objectives: (1) increase agricultural productivity, and (2) expand trade of agricultural products (domestically, regionally, and internationally).

New Beginning for Tribal Students makes competitive grants to land-grant colleges and universities to provide identifiable support specifically targeted for Tribal students. A land-grant college or university that receives this grant shall use funds for, but not limited to, recruiting; tuition and related fees; experiential learning; student services, including tutoring; counseling; academic advising; and other student services that would increase the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students enrolled at the land-grant college or university.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) is announcing the availability of around $5,500,000 in cooperative agreement funding to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervids. The amount available will be based on the amount appropriated by Congress less administrative costs. Proposals may further develop and implement wild CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including further development and evaluation of techniques and strategies to prevent or control CWD in wild cervids. WS intends to achieve a balance between management and research proposals. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) is also announcing the availability of cooperative agreement funding for a separate funding opportunity for the control and prevention of CWD in wild cervids on Tribal lands under the title “FY24 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities”. These funds will be made available for Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments. Once posted, applicants can find this funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching this title, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) Number 10.028, or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-24-0005. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) is announcing a separate funding opportunity for the control and prevention of CWD in farmed cervids under the title “FY24 Farmed Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities.” Applicants can find this funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching this title, the CFDA number 10.025, or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-24-0007.

This funding opportunity is provided to control and prevent CWD in farmed cervids through the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities. Proposals can include the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2.APHIS VS anticipates awarding around $6,050,000 in cooperative agreement funding5 for the following entities: State departments of agriculture; State animal health agencies; State departments of wildlife or natural resources; Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments; and research institutions and universities.An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $250,000 per proposal for activities to control or prevent CWD in farmed cervids. Applicants who wish to submit multiple proposals must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package.The overall objectives of the funding opportunity are to control, manage, and/or prevent CWD in farmed cervids. Through this funding opportunity, APHIS VS is soliciting collaborators who will further develop and implement farmed cervid CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities. Proposals can include the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2. Funds may also be provided for applied research7 to further develop and evaluate tools, techniques, and strategies for identifying, preventing, and controlling CWD in farmed cervids.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) is announcing the availability of around $500,000 in cooperative agreement funding to further develop and implement wild cervid chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including further development and evaluation of techniques and strategies to prevent or control CWD in wild cervids on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) is also announcing the availability of cooperative agreement funding for a separate funding opportunity for the control and prevention of CWD in wild cervids under the title “FY24 Wild Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities”. Applicants can find information for this funding opportunity on ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching this title, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) 10.028, or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10028- WSNWRC00-24-0004. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) is announcing a separate funding opportunity for the control and prevention of CWD in farmed cervids under the title “FY24 Farmed Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities”. Applicants can find this funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching this title, the CFDA number 10.025, or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-24-0007.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Programs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Market Access Program by issuing new awards. This opportunity is available to nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, nonprofit state regional trade groups (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies and is intended to foster expanded exports and market diversification by encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of diverse commercial export markets for United States agricultural commodities and products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Programs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program by issuing new awards. This opportunity is available to nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations and is intended to create, expand, and maintain longterm export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. The Cooperator program is designed to maintain and develop foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities and products through cost–share assistance. Financial assistance under the Cooperator program will be made available on a competitive basis and applications will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria contained herein and in the Cooperator program regulations. Applicants should refer to and have a common understanding of the Cooperator program regulations, 7 CFR Part 1484, and the 2 definitions contained within to fully understand this opportunity. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration.

This program provides funding to U.S. organizations to supply agricultural product samples to foreign buyers, helping to showcase the quality of U.S. goods and boost export sales.

This grant provides funding to U.S. organizations to help overcome barriers that hinder the export of specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, ensuring better market access for American farmers.