Louisiana Agriculture Grants

This funding opportunity provides up to $25,000 to Louisiana-based nonprofits for innovative projects that improve community health and well-being.

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.

Propeller’s Impact Accelerator is a 5-month program that provides mission-driven entrepreneurs with coaching, community building, curriculum, and technical assistance to grow their businesses. Donor Name: Propeller State: Louisiana City: New Orleans Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/12/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: In the Impact Accelerator, Propeller works with entrepreneurs to catalyze transformational growth. Propeller connects entrepreneurs with the contract opportunities, markets, and customers to put their businesses on the fast track for growth. Ventures begin their Impact Accelerator experience by working with experienced, dedicated mentors to set ambitious yet achievable goals for growth and long-term sustainability, tailored to the needs of your business. Each venture receives support from subject matter experts to provide project assistance and access to entrepreneurial curriculum to remove speed bumps to growth. Propeller’s Impact Accelerator is sponsored by the Clif Family Foundation, Capital One, Nasdaq, RosaMary Foundation, WK Kellogg Foundation, Baptist Community Ministries. Focus Areas  Community Economic Development In community economic development, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports BIPOC entrepreneurs operating brick and mortar establishments along the Broad Street corridor, in New Orleans East, and in Central City seeking to grow their revenues and staff. Education In education, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs working in the service provision or delivery of early childhood education and care from birth to eight years of age. Food In food, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who have an existing consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand with an emphasis on sustainable, healthy, and affordable products made with locally-sourced ingredients. Health In health, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who provide direct health and wellness services, including clinical care, and services that address the social and physical determinants of health in the built environment and community context domains. Propeller prioritizes entrepreneurs who serve a BIPOC client base. Water In water, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator focuses on supporting entrepreneurs working in the fields of green infrastructure, urban stormwater management, native plants cultivation, and coastal restoration. Benefits Impact Accelerator participants have regular Lead Mentor office hours to set goals for growth and sustainability, receive support from Subject Matter Experts, and attend in-person meetups to access entrepreneurial curriculum.  A summary of program benefits include: 16+ hours of Lead Mentor Office Hours 12+ hours of business development curriculum during Meetups 20+ hours to work with Subject Matter Experts on projects related to business growth goals A detailed work plan laying out revenue, capital, and social/environmental impact goals Coaching to embed racial equity, social and environmental impact goals into business operations Introductions to key community stakeholders Free coworking office space at Propeller’s facility Membership in a cohort of 20 like-minded entrepreneurs, as well as a network of over 250 alumni. Eligibility Criteria  Propeller is seeking growth stage entrepreneurs with plans to scale revenues and teams over the next 12 months in Propeller’s five areas of focus: community economic development, education, food, health, and water. Community Economic Development Eligibility Category: Black-owned Brick and Mortar Storefronts For-profit Operating a brick-and-mortar storefront Headquartered on or along North/South Broad Street, Central City, or New Orleans East Majority (50%+) owned by Black entrepreneur(s) Preferred: Storefront business that has existed in the neighborhood for 3+ years with the desire to stay in the neighborhood, create livable wage jobs, and build strong community ties Preferred: Businesses with stated intention of growing revenues and team through commercial and/or government contracts. Education Eligibility Category: Early Childhood Education For-Profit or Non-Profit Supports service provision or delivery of early childhood education and care from birth to eight years of age Plans to increase enrollment, grow staff, and/or expand business location within the next 12 months. Education Eligibility Category: Consumer Packaged Goods Entrepreneurs who have an existing consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand that are one or more of the following: Environmentally sound Locally sourced Healthy Or have other compelling social or environmental impacts Propeller will prioritize companies led by BIPOC entrepreneurs, especially those seeking to increase sales through growth of wholesale outlets. Health  Eligibility Category: Direct provision or delivery of healthcare For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Providing direct clinical care or healthcare Preferred: Entrepreneurs serving a BIPOC client base Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to make healthcare more accessible to New Orleanians Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to grow their staff in the next 12 months Eligibility Category: Provision of services impacting social and physical determinants of health For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Providing services impacting social and physical determinants of health Preferred: Entrepreneurs serving a BIPOC client base Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to make healthcare more accessible to New Orleanians Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to grow their staff in the next 12 months. Water  Eligibility Category: Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management Currently working urban stormwater management or green infrastructure For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Eligibility Category: Coastal Restoration Currently working or seeking to work in coastal restoration For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Eligibility Category: Native Plant Cultivation For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Priority: increasing supply of native plants to be used in green infrastructure projects. For more information, visit Propeller.

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.

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 grant provides up to $25,000 to Louisiana-based nonprofits for innovative projects that improve health and community well-being.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that serve children and youth in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, helping cover operational costs and encouraging collaborative efforts among multiple organizations.

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 supports projects that restore and enhance forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, benefiting wildlife and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

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 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.