If you are interested in any of the funding opportunities below please contact Deirdre Birmingham at: deirdreb4@gmail.com

Scholarships for National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Madison, WI – Apply by 4/25/16

https://michaelfields.org/wi-scholarships-national-farm-cafeteria-conference-april-25-deadline/

Missouri Specialty Crop Grants – Apply by 4/26/2016

https://michaelfields.org/missouri-specialty-crop-producer-grants-due-april-26th/

Sign-up for USDA NRCS’ New Western Lake Erie Basin Initiative –Apply by 4/29/2016

https://michaelfields.org/new-western-lake-erie-basin-initiative-nrcs-april-29th-deadline/

USDA NRCS Urges Landowners to Sign-Up for Conservation Planning – Apply by 4/30/2016

https://michaelfields.org/sign-up-for-conservation-planning-by-april-30th/

National Black Farmers Association Scholarship Program – Students Should Apply by 5/2/2016

https://michaelfields.org/national-black-farmers-association-scholarship-program-apply-asap-may-2/

USDA Seeks Grant Program Reviewers for Farmers Market Promotion Program and Local Foods Promotion Program – Apply by 5/2/16

https://michaelfields.org/usda-seeks-grant-program-reviewers-apply-may-2/

University of Minnesota Deep Winter Greenhouse Project – Apply by 5/3/2016

https://michaelfields.org/u-mn-deep-winter-greenhouse-project-may-3-deadline/

2016 USDA Conservation Innovation Grants – Apply by 5/10/2016

https://michaelfields.org/2016-usda-conservation-innovation-grants-due-may-10/

USDA Local Food and Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants – Apply by 5/12/2016

https://michaelfields.org/usda-local-food-farmers-market-promotion-program-grants-due/

NRCS Missouri – Grants available to partners for Farm Bill program promotion – Apply by 5/13/2016

https://michaelfields.org/missouri-grants-promote-nrcs-programs-due-may-13th/

MI Value Added/Regional Food Systems Grants – Apply by 5/26/2016

https://michaelfields.org/mdard-announces-value-addedregional-food-systems-grant-opportunity/

Selected Watersheds to Receive NRCS funding – Apply by 6/10/16

https://michaelfields.org/selected-watersheds-receive-nrcs-funding-apply-june-10/

If your area is eligible, contact your local NRCS service center: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/contact/local/

NRCS Indiana – Funding Landscape Conservation Projects – Apply by 6/17/2016

www.michaelfields.org/indiana-nrcs-accepting-applications-two-targeted-projects

Resources for Producers Thinking About Applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) – Apply by 6/24/2016 (Online Applications) or 7/1/2016 (Paper Applications – Mailed)

Two examples of Value-Added Producer Grant awards from 2015 include:

• Shoshone-Bannock Enterprises in Fort Hall, Idaho, received a $75,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study on processing, packaging and marketing buffalo meat, a first step in identifying potential new market opportunities.
• Sappa Valley Poultry in Oberlin, Kan., received a $49,663 grant to expand distribution of their free-range chicken products into eastern Colorado and western Kansas markets.

VAPG Resources and Materials for Application Submission

• APPLY:
  • USDA Rural Development VAPG Homepage: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants
• FARMER’S GUIDE
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Farmers Guide to the VAPG: http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016_4-NSAC-VAPG-Farmers-Guide-FINAL-1.pdf
• WEBINAR
  • USDA Rural Development/Cornell Cooperative Extension Webinar on VAPG: https://msues.adobeconnect.com/_a828402417/srdc/

New Conservation Option for Organic Farms Unveiled – Apply for the Conservation Reserve Program; Sign-up is continuous!

https://michaelfields.org/new-conservation-option-organic-farms-unveiled/

Contact your local FSA office if interested:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateOffices?area=stoffice&subject=landing&topic=landing

Chef Ann Foundation Project Produce Grants – NO DEADLINE

https://michaelfields.org/chef-ann-foundation-project-produce-grants/

NRCS Program to Improve Monarch Butterfly Habitat – Deadlines Vary

https://michaelfields.org/nrcs-program-improve-monarch-butterfly-habitat/

Photo Credit: Rebecca Schley (Flickr CC)