Virginia Agriculture Grants

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of Virginia. A total of up to $1,200,000.00 is available for the Virginia CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $900,000.00 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. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 10th, 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 September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Virginia-based technology companies in the early stages of development to help them validate their products and grow their businesses in the state.

This program provides financial support for agricultural and forestry businesses in Tennessee to develop value-added processing projects, including those in produce, dairy, meat, specialty foods, and aquaculture.

The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Planning Grant Program in Virginia aims to support local agriculture and forestry businesses by providing funding for innovative projects and encouraging collaboration between local governments and the ag/forestry community. The grants may be used for activities such as developing strategic plans, feasibility studies, business or marketing plans, creating local initiatives supporting agriculture or forestry-based businesses, and investing in the development of local agricultural development boards. Additionally, the program supports projects that implement innovative marketing strategies, develop strategic plans for agriculture or forestry economic development, create new policies or programs to preserve working lands, and fund feasibility studies or business plans with a positive impact on the local agriculture or forestry sector.