Private Agriculture Grants

The American Horticultural Society proudly offers the Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund, aimed at fostering a lifelong passion for gardening and horticulture among youth. This grant, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 annually, supports one educator in starting or expanding a garden or gardening science project within a school or community setting. It seeks to increase access to hands-on gardening experiences for youth from all backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of gardening science. Applicants must detail their project's objectives, plans, timeline, staff, and budget, highlighting its anticipated impact on youth. The application period closes on May 10, 2024, and the recipient will be announced at the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in July. Attendance at the symposium is not a requirement for application or receipt of the grant.

This grant provides funding to governmental entities and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina for projects that promote economic development, job creation, and workforce training, particularly in rural and tobacco-dependent communities.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce's Rural Building Reuse Program is a grant initiative designed to transform older, underutilized buildings in communities into valuable assets for economic growth. This program aligns with a broader mission to attract new businesses, support the expansion of existing North Carolina companies, and foster the development of healthcare entities, thereby creating new, full-time jobs. By revitalizing vacant or underperforming properties, the program aims to stimulate local economies and improve the overall well-being of rural areas within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are local governments in North Carolina, who then act on behalf of businesses and healthcare entities. The program focuses on three main categories: the renovation of vacant buildings, the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and the renovation, expansion, or construction of licensed healthcare entities. The impact goals are centered on job creation, economic development through business attraction and expansion, and improved access to healthcare services in rural communities. Priorities for funding include vacant buildings that have been unoccupied for at least three months. For existing businesses, companies must have operated in North Carolina for at least 12 months, meet weekly wage standards, provide at least 50% employee benefits, and be represented on the Priority Industry Table. In the rural health category, eligible applicants are units of local government in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties, with a priority for towns under 5,000 population in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties. A key requirement for all categories is a cash match equal to the grant request, with local government contributing at least 5% from local, non-state or federal resources. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in new, full-time jobs, the successful renovation and reuse of older buildings, and the expansion of business operations across the state. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of jobs created, the number of buildings renovated or expanded, the types of businesses supported, and the economic impact on local communities. The program's strategic priorities are clearly linked to fostering economic resilience and growth in rural North Carolina, with a theory of change that posits that by investing in physical infrastructure, the state can catalyze private sector investment, leading to job growth and improved community vitality.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farmers in the Northeast to improve their milk storage and handling systems, enhancing efficiency and food safety.

This grant provides food pantries in Michigan with commercial-grade refrigeration units, technical assistance, and funds to purchase nutritious dairy products, helping them better serve individuals and families facing food insecurity.

This program provides funding to public entities in Pennsylvania for the development and improvement of public fishing and boating access facilities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Philadelphia to secure existing urban gardens and farms from development threats, aiming to increase their long-term preservation and community impact.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is currently seeking proposals for its Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program. This initiative aims to conserve, restore, and improve habitat in the Intermountain West, specifically focusing on wildlife species associated with sagebrush, irrigated meadows, and aquatic systems, while also preserving large mammal migration. NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats aligns directly with the program's objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant include ranchers, community-led organizations, and landowners in Idaho and Utah, as well as the diverse wildlife species inhabiting these rangelands, such as sagebrush sparrow, sage thrasher, mule deer, pronghorn, and Greater and/or Gunnison sage-grouse. The program's impact goals are centered on accelerating and implementing voluntary conservation practices to achieve sustainable livestock production, enhanced wildlife habitat, improved ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration), and increased landscape permeability for wildlife. Priority will be given to projects that promote innovations in grazing management, strategic management of annual invasive grasses, habitat enhancement (through mesic area/wet meadow, sagebrush restoration, and conifer removal), fence removal or modification, and the provision of technical assistance to landowners. In Idaho, there's a dedicated focus on supporting positions to integrate Farm Bill programs with the Big Game Migration Initiative. In Utah, funding is available to facilitate conservation practices on working lands and to support positions that increase the pace and scale of voluntary perpetual conservation easements through ACEP-ALE delivery and RCPP technical assistance. Expected outcomes include the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable conservation approaches, direct benefits to priority wildlife species, and increased landowner enrollment in Farm Bill programs. The program anticipates awarding between 10-20 grants, with a suggested minimum of $100,000, and projects may span one to three years. Measurable results will likely involve tracking acres restored, number of fences modified, and improvements in wildlife populations. This program exemplifies NFWF's strategic priority of fostering collaborative, science-based conservation efforts and their theory of change, which posits that strategic investment in voluntary, on-the-ground conservation with strong partnerships leads to tangible and lasting benefits for both wildlife and working lands. The program is supported by major private funding from Cargill, Taco Bell, Nestlé, Capri Holding Ltd., and federal funding from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maui County that are working to improve access to healthy food for families affected by food insecurity.

This funding opportunity provides $100,000 to established nonprofits in Central Oklahoma for impactful projects in community development, family support, health and wellness, education, and arts and culture.

This funding opportunity supports North Carolina nonprofit organizations in addressing community-defined oral health needs and reducing disparities through advocacy and educational outreach.

This fellowship provides support, resources, and funding to U.S. entrepreneurs developing scalable solutions in climate, health, and equity, with a focus on historically underrepresented founders.

AgWest Farm Credit's New Producer Grant Program supports new agricultural producers who have two years or less of operational experience or plan to start their operation within two years of applying. The grant aims to alleviate the challenge of lacking start-up funds, celebrating the ingenuity and passion of new producers. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation's growth. The grant focuses on applicants within AgWest Farm Credit’s territory who are not current lending customers and are U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

The Alabama RC&D Grants program focuses on enhancing human and natural resources to improve the quality of life for citizens across all counties in Alabama. This initiative, supported by the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with funding information specifying awards between $5,000.00 and $25,000.00. The program aims to align with a mission of fostering community well-being through strategic project investments. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are local Alabama citizens, with a broad impact goal of improving their overall quality of life. The program achieves this by supporting projects in various key areas, including natural resources conservation, community facilities and services, tourism, and economic development. These projects are intended to create tangible benefits that directly address community needs and promote sustainable growth. The program's priorities for FY 2024-2025 are structured into three main categories: General Funds, Education Funds, and Workforce/Community Training. General Funds prioritize projects related to natural resources conservation, community facilities and services, and tourism and economic development. Education Funds focus on K-12 outdoor education, education benefiting small farmers and community gardens, and K-12 technology. Workforce/Community Training emphasizes projects covering multiple council regions, with a preference for those submitted by RC&D councils or partnering organizations. Expected outcomes include enhanced natural environments, improved community infrastructure, stimulated local economies, and increased educational opportunities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the broad impact goals, the focus on distinct project categories suggests that success will be measured by the successful implementation and observable benefits within these areas. Eligibility requires applicants to be registered 501c3 non-profits or governmental units/sub-units, ensuring that funded projects are implemented by established and accountable entities. The program has clear restrictions, disallowing funding for operational/administration phases, salaries, endowment campaigns, religious purposes, individuals, development/public relations activities, land/property purchases, or post-event situations. These restrictions help ensure that grant funds are directed towards new, impactful projects rather than ongoing operational costs or activities outside the program's core mission. This strategic allocation of resources reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that targeted project funding in these key areas will lead to a better quality of life for Alabama citizens.

The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation administers the Creating New Work Grant Program to foster creativity in Greater Hartford by supporting local artists in the creation of new work in partnership with arts organizations. The program advances excellence in the arts and strengthens collaborations that benefit artists, organizations, and the community. Projects must be completed within 24 months of award. Organizations are selected based on artistic excellence, quality of collaboration with the artist, and potential community impact. A post grant report is required within six months of project close. Organizations may apply for either the Creation of New Work grant or an Excellence in the Arts grant in a calendar year. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) arts organizations in the geographic area served by the foundation, with priority to Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Newington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. Artists may not apply directly and must partner with an eligible organization. The program is designed to support artists who primarily live or work in Greater Hartford and surrounding towns listed by the foundation. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is two years. Additional information is available from the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation.

This program provides financial support to established small businesses in downtown North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to enhance their operations through equipment upgrades, physical space improvements, and e-commerce development.

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Grant, facilitated by the Rural Maryland Council, is accepting applications for its 2025 Regional Planning and Development Councils initiative. The overarching mission of RMPIF is to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural heritage and rural lifestyle. This grant program is a strategic investment designed to bolster economic and community development, foster regional and intergovernmental cooperation, and enable local and nonprofit organizations to attract additional non-state resources for sustainable rural development. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the five established regional planning and development councils: the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland, Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland, Upper Shore Regional Council, Mid-Shore Regional Council, and Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Additionally, multi-county efforts serving rural communities not covered by these councils are also eligible. The impact goals are broad, aiming to increase entrepreneurial activity, reduce unemployment and underemployment, retain valuable farm and forest land, and generally enhance the health, happiness, safety, employment opportunities, and general welfare of rural residents. The program prioritizes several key areas: encouraging a balanced economy, promoting intergovernmental cooperation and public/private partnerships, enhancing infrastructure for housing, transportation, water, wastewater, and broadband communications, and supporting rural commercial center redevelopment and community revitalization efforts. The grant specifically provides funding for projects and activities undertaken by the regional councils and other multi-county initiatives, with approved grant agreements reflecting strategic needs identified within the rural communities. Expected outcomes include stronger and more effective rural regions, the creation of economic development strategies, preservation and assistance for agricultural and resource-based industries, successful acquisition of federal funding for infrastructure, coordinated regional transportation projects (including public transit), and the development of support for diverse public policy initiatives. Each regional council is eligible to receive $600,000 in FY2025 for rural regional planning and development assistance, providing measurable financial support to achieve these objectives. The Rural Maryland Council's strategic priority is rooted in a theory of change that by investing in regional cooperation and targeted development, rural areas can achieve sustainable growth and a higher quality of life, ultimately benefiting the entire state.

This program provides funding for community partnerships to restore habitats, improve water quality, and engage underserved populations in ecological projects across the country.

This program supports climate technology innovators in New York State by providing mentorship and resources to help scale hardware solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote decarbonization.