West Virginia Agriculture Grants

This grant provides funding to veterans, first responders, and their families in West Virginia to develop sustainable agribusiness projects that promote food security and economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in West Virginia that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through education, research, and marketing initiatives benefiting multiple growers and industry stakeholders.

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 Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

The EQT Foundation Grant program is designed to support nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts within their communities. The foundation is deeply committed to fostering education and training for both children and adults, developing diverse and livable communities, and preserving natural environments. This mission aligns with their belief in meaningful community engagement and responsible corporate citizenship, emphasizing trust-based philanthropy to ensure resources directly contribute to community stability and, in turn, support successful business operations in their operational footprint. The foundation's funding strategy prioritizes organizations and programs that directly impact community residents. They seek proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. The target beneficiaries include children and adults receiving education and training, residents of diverse and livable communities, and those benefiting from natural environment preservation efforts. The impact goals revolve around creating positive and needed change, fostering community stability, and contributing to the overall well-being of the areas where EQT Corporation operates. The EQT Foundation focuses on three core areas: Community Enrichment, Education & Workforce, and Environment. Community Enrichment encourages the development of diverse, safe, healthy, and sustainable communities, with examples ranging from food banks and libraries to arts programs and community festivals. Education & Workforce aims to promote STEM proficiency for youth and create a skilled future workforce through initiatives like in-school STEM curricula, computer camps, and career planning. The Environment focus supports natural resource preservation and educates communities on conservation techniques, including community gardens, watershed conservation, and green space restoration. Beyond these thematic priorities, the EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of a geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations, effective management of available resources, and outreach that garners solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs, and sponsors. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not detailed, the emphasis on "positive, needed, and trusted impacts" and "creative approaches to addressing critical issues" suggests a commitment to tangible community benefits. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in education, community development, and environmental preservation in their operational areas, they contribute to the long-term stability and success of these communities, which in turn supports their business operations.

Farm Credit of the Virginias provides added support to our customer-owners and the rural communities we call home through our Charitable Contributions Fund, in which we extend grant funding to charitable organizations in our territory. The fund allows our cooperative to support the growth of agricultural programs, invest in the future of agriculture and enhance the quality of life in the rural communities we serve. Mission and Objectives Through the Charitable Contributions Fund, Farm Credit of the Virginias continues to build strong partnerships with organizations that preserve and promote farmers and families in our rural communities. Objectives we support include food security, veteran services, youth agriculture involvement and more. Applications Grant applications for the current funding cycle will be accepted May 1, 2024 through July 1, 2024. Grants will be awarded in August 2024. Grants will be awarded for up to $10,000 in funding. Please send your questions and/or concerns to Katie Frazier, Chief Brand Officer, by email to [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-919-3276.

This fellowship provides financial support and recognition to individuals in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia who are dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional food practices and culinary heritage in the Appalachian region.