Florida Agriculture Grants

This program provides financial support to local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Florida to improve urban forestry initiatives and expand community tree canopies.

The Specialty Crop Assistance program, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), provides assistance for eligible expenses related to COVID-19 that benefit the production and distribution of Florida specialty crops. Eligible expenses include Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and facility adjustments for worker and product safety. The program is open to specialty crop growers, processors, and distributors. Funding is provided through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, with a minimum reimbursement of $565.00 and a maximum reimbursement of $300,000.00 over the life of the project. The program has a total fund availability of $2,735,124.99, and applications will be processed on a first come first served basis until funds are depleted. The last day to apply for assistance is September 1, 2025. To apply, organizations must register as a state vendor at www.myfloridamarketplace.com, provide a substitute W9 form to the Florida Department of Financial Services, register or login to the FDACS online portal, complete and upload the HR133 Assistance program application to the FDACS online portal, and upload proof of purchase such as invoices marked 'paid', cancelled checks, or other substantial documentation of costs to be reimbursed. Eligible items for reimbursement include various PPE items and facility adjustments for worker and product safety. For additional questions, applicants can contact Kimberly Murphy at (850) 617-7397 or email [email protected].

Education Grants allow applicants to conduct education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, ag diversification, and best management practices. Donor Name: Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Education Grants are open to academic institutions and organizations, such as non-profits and non-governmental organizations, who are interested in conducting education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators are especially encouraged to apply for this grant for their education and outreach activities. SSARE also considers proposals from organizations/institutions whose projects involve farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, even if products are not sold due to cultural factors. Education Grants should focus on a topic area of sustainable agriculture relevance that meets SARE’s program goals. In addition, the proposed project should comprise education/outreach efforts/activities that support the research/education foundation of the institution/organization, and must clearly articulate how those education/outreach efforts/activities will be implemented and evaluated. Examples of Education Grant projects can include one or more of the following, but are not limited to: Experiential (Demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops, trainings, case studies); Integrative (Conferences, seminars, course curriculum) Reinforcement (Fact sheets, bulletins, books, manuals, videos, online technologies, guidebooks) SARE encourages proposals on quality of life topics that focus on the social health of a farming system. These can include, but are not limited to: Heirs property; Farmers’ markets; food hubs; locavores; CSAs; Local/regional processing/slaughter; Food sheds and food circles; Direct marketing and value-added; Beyond organics value chains; Farm to School/Institution; Civic agriculture, agritourism; Denominations of origin/geographic indications; Non-GMO movement, Slow Food, chef collaboratives; Urban ag systems; Food policy councils, governance structures; and Local/regional certification/branding. Funding Information Education Grant project maximums are $50,000, limited to two (2) years. Education Grants are paid by reimbursement of allowable project expenses. Who can apply? Researchers from public and private institutions, such as 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities or other colleges and universities; government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service or USDA-ARS; non-governmental organizations; and community-based organizations. Education Grants strictly fund education and outreach activities related to sustainable agriculture whose outcomes are intended to benefit farmers and farming communities. There is no research involved in these grant projects. Southern SARE accepts proposals from applicants in the Southern region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grant Requirements  Education Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding: Project outcomes must focus on developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing systems toward sustainable agriculture. The project must clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom and how the project will accomplish those goals. The results must be realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to the actions and benefits described in the proposal. For farmers involved in your project, the primary occupation is farming/ranching or part-time farming. Producers run their farm alone or with family or partners and have a least $1,000 of documented annual income from the operation, as defined by USDA. SSARE also considers proposals with farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, but products are not sold due to cultural factors. For more information, visit Southern SARE.

The Batchelor Foundation Grant Program primarily provides support for programmatic grants, with occasional consideration given to capital grants. Donor Name: The Batchelor Foundation State: Florida County: Broward County (FL), Miami-Dade County (FL), Monroe County (FL), Palm Beach County (FL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The highest priority is placed on projects and programs that have clearly defined, targeted outcomes outlined in the nonprofit’s grant proposal. Programs that assist children in the areas of education, health and general well being. Programs that provide shelter, food, and/or medicine to animals. Programs that protect or educate the public regarding the natural environment. Some consideration is given to charitable work provided to homeless programs and veteran services. Grant Period Grants are generally awarded for a one-year grant period.  Geographic Region The Batchelor Foundation places highest priority on nonprofits located and providing charitable work in the South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe.  Eligibility Criteria All applicants must be currently recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities and classified as not a private foundation.  In addition, the nonprofit must be actively registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to solicit funds in Florida. The Foundation does not fund Direct support of individuals. Organizations not qualified as tax-exempt 501(c)(3). Support for start-up organizations. (Consideration is given only to organizations that have been operating at least five (5) years and have $50,000 of revenue for each of the five years immediately preceding the grantees’s submission of the LOI.) Events, festivals, workshops, conferences or concerts. Capacity building, administrative expenses or operating deficits. Political candidates or campaigns. Political or governmental advocacy. Organizations that act as fiscal sponsors for another charity. For more information, visit Batchelor Foundation.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit visual, music, and performing arts organizations in Broward County, Florida, enabling them to deliver high-quality cultural programs and arts education for K-12 students.

The Alachua County is seeking applications for its Small Farmer Grant Program. Donor Name: Alachua County State: Florida County: Alachua County (FL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Small farmers and ranchers have a grant opportunity through the County Commission this summer. The Commission is funding a mini-grant to Alachua County-based farms and ranches that earn between $1,000 and $250,000 annually. Funding Information The total grant request must not exceed $5,000. The total funding available for this mini-grant is approximately $100,000. Criteria Promote local food system economic resilience and equity for marginalized communities that will: Assists Alachua County residents. Applicable to Alachua County based small producers (farms, ranches, or other agricultural operations) producing food stuffs for human consumption. Prioritize funding for small producers with annual gross cash income of no more than $75,000. Prioritize black, women, indigenous, and persons-of-color owned agricultural operations Support the immediate acquisition of capital infrastructure and equipment to enhance the farm’s productive capability and financial expansion. This grant recognizes that small producers may not have adequate cash flow to acquire capital equipment and then wait for reimbursement by the County. This grant offers an immediate infusion of funds at the point of award by the Board of County Commissioners. This grant is not a cost reimbursement grant. Improve the economic viability of these small producers. Increase the resiliency of local food production and expand the production of related value added farm products. Achieve Board policies related to economic development: increases economic prosperity, economic equity and diverse tax base. Achieve Board policies related to economic development: increases economic prosperity, economic equity and diverse tax base​. For more information, visit Alachua County.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in South Florida for innovative visual and performing arts programs and K-12 arts education initiatives.

This summer, small farmers and ranchers have a grant opportunity through the Board of County Commissioners. The Board is funding a mini-grant to Alachua County-based farms and ranches that earn between $1,000 and $250,000 annually. Funding is for capital and equipment expenditures that will positively impact these operation’s income. The total grant request must not exceed $5,000. Only one application per farm or ranch is permitted. The total funding available for this mini-grant is approximately $100,000. To reduce inequity in marginalized communities, this grant will also prioritize small farms and ranches owned by black, women, indigenous, and persons-of-color. Applications must be in the County Manager’s Office by 5 PM June 28, 2024.​ Applicants will complete the application and submit it to Alachua County’s Office of Sustainability, Equity, and Economic Development Strategies. Applications may be submitted by email to [email protected]​

City of Margate Property Improvement Grant Program (Florida) provides a 50% reimbursement grant of up to $50,000 for commercial or multi-family properties and common areas, as well as building exteriors owned by condominium or homeowner associations. The program also offers 50% reimbursement up to $10,000 for improvements to single-family properties or multi-family homesteaded properties. Eligible improvements include exterior painting, landscaping, impact-resistant improvements, roofing, structural repair, and more. The goal is to encourage property and business owners to enhance their properties, thereby improving the area's visual quality and increasing property values in Margate. For more information, visit the Property Improvement Grant Program website.

The City of St. Petersburg is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to eligible non-profit organizations that propose innovative solutions to the local opioid crisis, with a focus on treatment and recovery support services, overdose prevention, harm reduction, and substance use prevention and education.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is currently applications for the 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program. Donor Name: Rural Advancement Foundation International State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: RAFI provides support to Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers  for projects that demonstrate an ability to increase farm viability; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for existing structures and equipment; add value to existing farm products through processing, packaging or marketing; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources; and Cultural/Heritage projects which are focused on preserving and continuing a specific agrarian tradition.  Funding priority will be given to proposals with: High expected impact on farm viability and sustainability Strong project feasibility and planning: a clear plan, detailed budget and timeline, and all supporting documentation included.  Farmers who earn a significant amount of their household income from the farm operation.  Individual financial need, or location in an economically disadvantaged area Project tangibly benefits the surrounding community Farm uses agroecological and/or or ancestral farming practices  Funding Information Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding.  Eligibility Criteria You are a historically underserved farmer or rancher, as defined by NRCS.  You are applying as either an individual farmer owner/co-owner or as a farm cooperative If applying as a cooperative or collaborative, at least 50% of the cooperative or collaborative must meet eligibility criteria.  You are in at least your fourth full growing season of farming and have worked at least two years in your current farming operation and location.  You are a “livelihood” farmer/rancher or are seeking a long term career that financially supports you through agriculture  You complete and submit an application by the deadline. You submit only one application (as an individual or a collective). If you submit more than one application, neither will be considered. You have NOT received a RAFI infrastructure grant before (2020-2023).  Your farm is located in one of the following states AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. For more information, visit RAFI.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions in the southeastern U.S. to improve aquatic habitats and water quality, particularly for endangered species and key river basins.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small-scale farmers and ranchers in Alachua County to purchase equipment and make capital improvements that will increase their productivity and income.

This grant provides resources and support for community organizations in Miami Gardens to help residents grow their own food and improve local health and food accessibility.

This program provides financial assistance to historically underserved farmers in the southeastern U.S. for essential infrastructure improvements and support for new farming operations.

This grant provides funding to non-profits, businesses, schools, and government entities in the Sarasota Bay watershed for projects that improve habitat, water quality, and community engagement in environmental stewardship.

This grant provides funding to neighborhood organizations in St. Augustine, Florida, to support small-scale projects that enhance community engagement, beautification, and quality of life.

This funding opportunity supports graduate students in the Southern U.S. conducting research projects that promote sustainable agriculture and address key challenges faced by farmers and agricultural communities.

This grant provides funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in Northwest Florida to support impactful community projects that enhance the quality of life in the region.