Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for value-added products.

Katy Dickey

Denise Martinez

**_There is currently a waitlist for this program. _**


The Colorado Agricultural Future Loan is a financially-inclusive lending program that offers financing to beginning farmers and ranchers, and businesses that transform, package, process, store, or grade Colorado&#x2004;farm or ranch products.

We’re using alternative forms of documentation to qualify loans that conventional lenders won’t consider. By providing agricultural infrastructure and operating loans to those who might not otherwise qualify for traditional lending opportunities, we are seeking to strengthen Colorado agriculture, expand diversity within farming, and increase participation from next-generation farmers.

Loan funds can be used for most business purposes, including, but not limited to: operating expenses, the purchase of land and equipment, business improvements, worker wages, and conservation projects.



There is currently a waitlist for this program. 

The Colorado Agricultural Future Loan is a financially-inclusive lending program that offers financing to beginning farmers and ranchers, and businesses that transform, package, process, store, or grade Colorado farm or ranch products.
We’re using alternative forms of documentation to qualify loans that conventional lenders won’t consider. By providing agricultural infrastructure and operating loans to those who might not otherwise qualify for traditional lending opportunities, we are seeking to strengthen Colorado agriculture, expand diversity within farming, and increase participation from next-generation farmers.
Loan funds can be used for most business purposes, including, but not limited to: operating expenses, the purchase of land and equipment, business improvements, worker wages, and conservation projects.

- You must be a resident of Colorado.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must own or operate a farm, ranch, or business that provides supporting infrastructure to benefit farms and ranches in the state of Colorado. Although your business does not yet have to be operational, you do need to have applied for and received a Colorado business license. 
- You must have the ability and resources needed to operate. You are capable of beginning or expanding the operation of your business as soon as funds are disbursed. 
- You must have the education, training, or experience necessary to operate the business. 
- You will need to provide a detailed written description of your business that answers the following questions:
    - What does your business do?
    - What need(s) are you filling?
    - Who are your customers and how will you reach them?
    - How is your business going to make money?
    - What do you need to get started?
    - What are the biggest challenges you face?
    - What do you have in place to help you succeed?
    - How will you measure success?

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

Succession

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Legal & Finance

Infrastructure

- 4% fixed interest rate (Annual Percentage Rate 4.17%)
- Term notes of 1-20 years
- 1.5% loan fee
- Revolving lines of credit up to 5 years
- Up to $750,000, with more possible for significant capital purchases

As funding allows, FACT awards scholarships of up to $400 for livestock and poultry farmers to attend educational events—including virtual events—to learn knowledge, skills and best practices related to humane animal management, business and farm finance, and/or value-added production processes. 



Current livestock and poultry farmers who reside in the U.S. and express an intention to learn about humane animal husbandry methods are eligible. Farmers must own or be employed by a farm that raises livestock (ruminants, swine) and/or poultry. 
- FACT encourages limited resource farmers, beginning farmers, veteran farmers, BIPOC farmers, and farmers belonging to other historically underserved or marginalized groups to apply for a scholarship.
- FACT is only able to award one scholarship per farm/household each year.
- Farmers who received a scholarship within the past 12-month period are not eligible for a scholarship due to limited funds. 
- Events focused solely on aquaculture, equine husbandry, and beekeeping are not eligible.
- Scholarships will not be awarded for conferences or events that have already been completed.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Stewardship

Labor

Within 14 days of attending the event, scholarship recipients are expected to complete a short report form about their experience at the conference. Scholarship recipients are invited to share photos of their farm or animals with FACT to promote their farm and scholarship experience. Scholarship recipients will also be added to FACT’s farmer email list.

Borrowers should talk to their preferred lender to determine if the lender is approved through the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. If you have no preferred lender, contact your local RD office at the details above for assistance with identifying a participating lender.

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen&#x2004;critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.



The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Eligible borrowers must be directly engaged in the middle of the food supply chain, specifically the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food. Examples of the types of entities that may qualify for the program include a meat processor or a food hub. As a borrower, your lender will work with you to verify your project qualifies.

- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice
- Frequently Asked Questions

Public Health

Compliance

Loans can not be used for
- Lines of credit
- Owner-occupied and rental housing
- Golf courses or golf course supporting infrastructure
- Racetracks or gambling facilities
- Churches or church-controlled organizations
- Fraternal organizations
- Lending, investment, and insurance companies
- Agricultural production
- Distribution or payment to a beneficiary of the borrower, or to an individual or entity that will retain an ownership interest in the borrower

Potential projects for consideration go through an application process with the MDARD Economic Development team member for their region. 
Find the contact information for your region using the map on this page.

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program provides financial support for food and agriculture projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan's economy. Projects are selected based on their impact to the overall agriculture industry and their impact to food and agriculture growth and investment in Michigan.



- Small, medium, and large food, agriculture, and forest product companies.
- Others investing in or expanding food, agriculture, or forest products operations in Michigan. 

- Brochure
- Regional Contacts
- Interactive Dashboard: MDARD Food and Agriculture Investment Program

Farmers Market

Food Systems

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program is a performance-based grant. Companies or organizations put forward their investment plan, demonstrate fnancing and due diligence on the project, carry out the project, and submit a reimbursement amount per the grant agreement when the investment project is completed.

Application

The Council may make a grant or loan if it determines a project is consistent with the goals of the Growth Through Agriculture Act. Projects should primarily add value to Montana's agricultural products and have the potential to create and/or retain jobs in Montana.

BEFORE beginning the application process, the applicant should be able to document exactly how the project will expand Montana agriculture. For example, the growth could be measurable either in terms of increased sales (by dollar amount or percentage) or in number of jobs created.

The Council strongly urges applicants to contact the Food and Agricultural Development Center network, Small Business Development Center network, and their local economic development organization for assistance with their GTA application, financial projections, business and marketing plans as necessary. I n addition, the Department is offering the use of this one-page financials template for interested businesses that have been invited to apply and present for the main GTA program: found here

Projects may potentially be funded in a single application for a maximum total amount of $150,000 in the form of grant funding up to $50,000 and loan funding up to $100,000. Examples of project activities involve equipment purchases, advertising and promotion, and consultant services such as engineering costs. A $1 for $1 match is required for all proposals.

FY2024 Priority Areas
- Rural area food and ag businesses
    - Rural area is defined as an area with fewer than 10,000 people (USDA Rural Definitions link: click here)
- Investing in processing infrastructure to add value to Montana crops and commodities
- Businesses focusing on vertical integration (i.e. raw commodity to finished/packaged product)

Targeted Area for Loan Funding
The Council designated the following areas to be eligible for consideration for 0% interest rate loans:
- Applicant likely does not have access to a conventional loan, such as a startup, or
- Business is mature and working toward expansion.

Important Dates
- October 2, 2023 - GTA Pre-application opens
- October 23, 2023 - Pre-application deadline
- Mid-November, 2023 - Ag Development Council meeting to select pre-applicants for full application submission
- Late November - Full application will open
- January 8, 2024 - Full applications due
- Mid-February - Ag Development Council meeting to review/award GTA applications

Apply Online
Instructions for Completing a GTA Application:
- Read the GTA Program Guidelines in order to determine whether or not your project is eligible and learn more about the details of the program to begin the GTA application process.
    - GTA Program Guidelines (.pdf format)
- Contact the Food and Agriculture Development Center Network, Small Business Development Center network, and your local economic development organization to discuss your project and request assistance in applying for your Growth Through Agriculture grant or loan.
- Register with the Montana Secretary of State . If your company is not already registered with the Montana Secretary of State, you may need to do so before going further with the application process. Organizations other than Sole Proprietorships must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State prior to submittal of the GTA application. Any application from an organization that is not registered with the Montana Secretary of State will not be accepted.
- Register and Apply Online: Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) applications open on October 2nd. Register and apply here.
- If you have questions, email gta@mt.gov.

 Food and Agriculture Development Center

Montana Small Business Development Center

MT Growth Through Agricultural Program

The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. The GTA program is administered by the Agriculture Development Council (Council) which is attached to the Department of Agriculture.



Eligibility Criteria 
Projects should primarily add value to Montana’s agricultural products, have prospects for achieving commercial success given the current personnel, experience and resources of the applicant and have the possibility to create and/or retain jobs in Montana. In addition, projects should either benefit additional agricultural producers and/or companies, and/or projects should accomplish research that will benefit Montana’s agriculture industry as a whole. An applicant that receives any two GTA grants within a two-year period will have a one-year cooling off period before applying again, starting in the current calendar year. Please contact GTA staff for any questions on this recent adjustment. 

Eligible Costs 
Eligible costs under the GTA program include, but are not limited to: 
• Equipment 
• Consultant Services (professional, technical, operational) 
• Travel 
• Advertising and Promotion 
• Supplies and Materials 
• Communication (telephone, postage, printing, etc.) 
• Data Processing 

Who Can Apply 
Proposals for funding are accepted from: 
• Individuals 
• Businesses and Industry Organizations 
• Public and Private Agencies and Organizations 
• Educational Institutions 
• Local Governments 
• Cooperatives 
• Non-profits 

Business Registration Required 
To be eligible to receive funding your business must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State's office (www.sos.mt.gov). If your business is not registered, we encourage you to begin that process prior to submitting an application. 

Joint Applications 
Two or more individuals or organizations may propose to conduct a project jointly by submitting one application as co-applicants. Please contact program staff for procedures if you are interested in submitting a joint application. 

Joint applicants must demonstrate their team has proven ability to carry out all elements of the proposed project. In addition, applicants proposing to rely upon the expertise of another individual or organization to undertake any part of the project must clearly define the responsibilities of that party as well as provide evidence of that entity’s willingness and demonstrated ability to undertake that area of responsibility.

Additional Loan Eligibility Requirements 
The Council has the option to set loan interest rates and offer terms on awards up to $100,000. To be eligible for a low interest loan, the applicant must have unencumbered collateral to secure the full amount of the loan. 

The Council may select up to two targeted areas for projects which would be eligible for lower interest loans. These targeted areas encourage specific types of projects and will inform the public of the Council’s particular interests. Targeted areas must be announced 60 days prior to becoming effective. 

Applicant must complete the ADD application form (PDF) and submit a complete business plan, current balance sheet and income statement along with full sources and use of funds. The completed application must include original signatures of the applicant, project advisor if applicable, and lender.
To email the application and supporting documents: Send to bndinfrastructure@nd.gov.
To postal mail the application and supporting documents: Send to
Bank of North Dakota
Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee
1200 Memorial Highway
Bismarck, ND 58504

The Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) was established through [HB No. 1475](https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t04-1c01-1.html) during the sixty-seventh Legislative Assembly to support new or expanding value-added-agriculture businesses that demonstrate financial feasibility, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, create jobs and grow North Dakota’s economy. The funding opportunities include grants, interest rate buydowns and loans.



The Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) was established through HB No. 1475 during the sixty-seventh Legislative Assembly to support new or expanding value-added-agriculture businesses that demonstrate financial feasibility, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, create jobs and grow North Dakota’s economy. The funding opportunities include grants, interest rate buydowns and loans.

Value-added agriculture business registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office or North Dakota resident that diversifies a crop or animal industry and provides collateral uses for agriculture resources. Businesses with a majority ownership comprised of North Dakota residents will have priority over majority non-North Dakota-owned applications. Companies outside North Dakota must have an established relationship with a North Dakota partner which includes individual, company or agency to validate the credibility of the proposal and comply with the intent of the Code. The types of projects may include but are not limited to:
- Food production and processing facilities
- Feed or pet food processing facilities
- Commodity processing facilities
- Agriculture product manufacturer
- Animal production facilities


Trials

Funding Amounts
Grants: Amount to be determined by the ADD Committee.
Interest buydown: The program will limit the borrowing rate to 5.00% below the yield rate, but in no event may the interest rate be more than five hundred basis points below the national prime interest rate. (If the prime rate is published as a range, the highest interest rate in that range will be used for purposes of this program.) In no case will the ADD Fund buydown an interest rate below 1.00%.
Loan: Amount determined by ADD Committee.

View the application questions and complete your application online at this portal.

The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added&#x2004;and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the [Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)](https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html).

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 



The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 

Applicant Requirements
- Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (i.e. agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase capacity of their business, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation.
- Applicants must be making an investment into the project. AEF funds may not be more than 25% of the project’s total budget.
- Applicants must submit project updates to measure impact of the grant on the applicant as well as the local economy, and agree to work with the Department of Agriculture to track success of the project.
- Applicants may not submit proposals that will result in relocation of a facility from one place in Tennessee to another.
- Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers. This requirement may be relaxed when compliance would be impracticable – i.e. in times of drought, disease, etc.
Project Requirements
Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories. Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application.
- Increase in Farm Income - This category includes projects that will increase farm income by offering farmers higher commodity prices than other markets, processing value-added products for farmers, or allowing a single farmer to add value to their own farm products.
- Increased Access to Markets - This category includes projects that will create or expand a market for Tennessee farmers or forest landowners, including reducing miles that farmers must transport their products to market or creating a new market entirely. 
- Increased Capacity - This category includes projects that will expand the capacity of an existing agricultural, food, or forestry business, including their production or processing capacity or the number of employees.
- Agricultural Innovation - This category is appropriate for entrepreneurs who wish to market a new technological innovation with the potential to impact Tennessee agriculture or the forestry industry by creating efficiencies in production, reducing costs, etc.

- Application Scoring
- Metrics
- Frequently Asked Questions

Trees

Apply online by choosing the type of advising you wish to receive below:
- Farm Business Advising
- Forest Products Business Advising
- Food Systems Business Advising
- Forestland Ownership Succession Advising


Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program

The Viability Program offers business planning and technical assistance to enterprises that keep Vermont's working landscape in production. These include: farm businesses of&#x2004;all sizes and sectors; food businesses that process, store, market, or distribute local agricultural products; and forest products businesses such as maple producers, consulting forestry firms, loggers, sawmills, craftspeople and wood manufacturers.

The Viability Program also offers ownership succession planning for all the business types listed above. Additionally, the program provides forestland ownership succession planning assistance to families who own forestland in Vermont. 

## Services

The Viability Program provides a range of services, from in-depth long-term business planning to short-term specialized assistance, including:

- Business Planning

- Enterprise Analysis

- Financial Record-keeping and Management

- Marketing and Sales

- Human Resources Management

- Management Coaching

- Retirement & Ownership Succession Planning


## How It Works

The Viability Program matches participants with advisers who have the specific skills to meet their needs. The Viability Program contracts these advisers to provide on-site, one-on-one, custom-tailored assistance for participants. Services are provided free of charge following a $75 enrollment fee. In some cases, if the scope of work is larger than what the program can cover, participants will need to contribute to the consultancy fees. Participants who have completed the program may also re-enroll in the Viability Program as their business evolves.


## Why Enroll?

After participating in the Viability Program, more than half of participants report a high level of strategic planning skills, and almost all participants exit the program with a clear vision for where their business is going. Participants routinely report they are able to place more energy on the quality of their work, and personally, half report that they find themselves satisfied with their ability to balance workload and family life. 



The Viability Program offers business planning and technical assistance to enterprises that keep Vermont's working landscape in production. These include: farm businesses of all sizes and sectors; food businesses that process, store, market, or distribute local agricultural products; and forest products businesses such as maple producers, consulting forestry firms, loggers, sawmills, craftspeople and wood manufacturers.
The Viability Program also offers ownership succession planning for all the business types listed above. Additionally, the program provides forestland ownership succession planning assistance to families who own forestland in Vermont. 
Services
The Viability Program provides a range of services, from in-depth long-term business planning to short-term specialized assistance, including:
- Business Planning
- Enterprise Analysis
- Financial Record-keeping and Management
- Marketing and Sales
- Human Resources Management
- Management Coaching
- Retirement & Ownership Succession Planning

How It Works
The Viability Program matches participants with advisers who have the specific skills to meet their needs. The Viability Program contracts these advisers to provide on-site, one-on-one, custom-tailored assistance for participants. Services are provided free of charge following a $75 enrollment fee. In some cases, if the scope of work is larger than what the program can cover, participants will need to contribute to the consultancy fees. Participants who have completed the program may also re-enroll in the Viability Program as their business evolves.

Why Enroll?
After participating in the Viability Program, more than half of participants report a high level of strategic planning skills, and almost all participants exit the program with a clear vision for where their business is going. Participants routinely report they are able to place more energy on the quality of their work, and personally, half report that they find themselves satisfied with their ability to balance workload and family life. 

The Viability Program's 1-on-1 business advising is open to farms, food businesses and forest products businesses of all types and sizes, so long as:
- the owner(s) is year-round Vermont resident, currently operating the business in Vermont,
- the owner(s) is actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business,
- the owner(s) has at least two years' experience managing the current business,
- the business has grossed at least $15,000 in the most recent tax year,
- for food businesses there is an added requirement that these businesses must be primarily involved in adding value to Vermont agricultural products, and
- for forest products businesses there is the added requirement that these businesses must be primarily involved in the harvesting, production, processing, storage, marketing, and/or distribution of local forest products.
The sole eligibility for forestland succession planning is that the participating family own forestland in Vermont.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Forestry

Forest Residues

Timber

More Information by Business Type
- Farm Business Advising
- Forest Products Business Advising
- Food Systems Business Advising
- Forestland Ownership Succession Advising


Historically Underserved

Transition

Marketing

How to Apply
1. Review the full Request for Applications (FY 2024 linked as a sample) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.

Clare Salerno

Diana Ferguson

WebGrants Technical Assistance

The mission&#x2004;of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.


This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 


## **Grant Overview**

- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000

- Project types:

    - **Market development** – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 

    - **Research and development** – testing new systems or technology 

    - **Infrastructure development** – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs, including for labor and/or energy efficiency enhancements, such as lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs 

    - **Workforce training and development** – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 

- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has a from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.




The mission of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.

This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 

Grant Overview
- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000
- Project types:
    - Market development – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 
    - Research and development – testing new systems or technology 
    - Infrastructure development – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs, including for labor and/or energy efficiency enhancements, such as lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs 
    - Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 
- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has a from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.


- Value-added food businesses that source at least 50% of raw ingredients from Vermont OR are applying for a Working Lands grant to significantly increase use of ingredients sourced from Vermont are eligible. • Businesses that sell “unique food products” are not eligible unless the business will use grant funds to increase production of raw ingredients in Vermont. o Unique food products are processed foods made from ingredients that are not regularly produced in Vermont or are not available in sufficient quantities to meet production requirements. 
- Secondary forestry businesses are eligible if at least 50% of the wood they use is grown in the Northeast OR the Working Lands grant project will significantly increase use of wood sourced from the Northeast.
- Applicant organizations/businesses must be based in Vermont. Businesses or organizations headquartered outside of VT may be eligible if the project or service being proposed is 100% focused on Vermont’s working landscape and businesses. Please contact Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov to discuss eligibility for out-of-state applicants.
- All structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs, B Corporations, and/or non-profits that are involved in the support of production of agriculture and/or forest products).
- All legally incorporated enterprises must be registered with the VT Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a business name other than their own name must have their assumed business name (formerly known as a trade name) registered with the Secretary of State. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2024. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, ARPA Primary Producer, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2021 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.


A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

- Working Lands Business Grant 2024 Presentation Power Point
- Working Lands Business Development Directory

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

Irrigation

Storage

- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has received from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.
- Match waiver or reduction request: • In budget table, enter amount of match you can realistically commit to (if full waiver requested, enter $0) • Explain why match waiver is needed at this time


Make sure you are registered with the required organizations:
- The Vendor Self Serve system with the State of Michigan. Registration can be completed here: http://www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS 
- The LARA Corporations Division. Registration can be completed here: Corporations Division - Login Page

Download the application below and submit via one email to mda-grants@michigan.gov. Include in the subject line the name of your organization. If you do not receive a confirmation of receipt from our office after 48 hours, please call 517-614-7065.

Heather Throne

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provides grants to establish, retain, expand, attract or develop value added agricultural processing in Michigan, or that expand or develop regional food systems or access the healthy food.



Funding will be focused on the following types of projects: 
- Food hub development
- Food access, including access to fresh/nutritional foods 
- Value-added food processing Innovation and equipment
- Technical assistance, including feasibility studies that lead to jobs/investment
- Outreach and training 

- FY23 Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Program Application
- FY23 Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Program Guidelines
- FY23 Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Program Fact Sheet
- Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Program Informational Brochure

Local Food

Nutrition & Food Safety

- Grants will be awarded a maximum amount of $100,000. Please submit applications in whole dollar amounts and round to the nearest $100.
- Applicants must provide a minimum 30% match. Cash match is required, and in-kind contributions will not be counted as part of the required match. 
- Only one proposal per applicant will be considered. Your organization may be a partner on more than one application. 
- If you have received a MDARD Value Added & Regional Food Systems Grant in the last two years, you are not eligible for this grant round. 
- Up to 10% Administrative Cost is allowed if the grantee is a non-profit. Administrative costs are the grantee’s allowable direct costs for the overall management of the grant. 
- All applicants must be registered as a vendor in the Vendor Self Serv system with the State of Michigan prior to submitting an application. Registration can be completed here: http://www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS 
- This grant is a cost-reimbursement program. Grantees are responsible for costs until proper reports/invoices/receipts are received and reviewed. 
- Each grantee will be required to submit written reports and appropriate financial documentation to MDARD for payment. Grantees may also be required to report on the outcomes and impact of their grant for a period of time (up to three years) after the grant period ends.
- All Grantees must be registered and in good standing with the LARA Corporations Division, register here: Corporations Division - Login Page. 

Read and complete the appropriate application form for either a Small-Scale Farmer Aggregation Project or a Public Sector Aggregation Project. 
Send completed applications and all attachments to:
MARBIDCO Local Farm Enterprise Food Aggregation Grant Program 
1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21
Annapolis, MD 21403
or email to skubofcik@marbidco.org.

Stacy Kubofcik

The establishment or expansion of local farm food aggregators in Maryland can help provide a link between the small farmer and the large-scale buyer such as a wholesaler or large institution that is looking to purchase locally grown food.

In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly altered the original Certified Local Farm Enterprise Program to become the Certified Local&#x2004;Farm and Fish Program; expanding the purpose of the program to include food from certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Providers in the overall percentage goal of 20% of State institutions total dollar value for certain food procurement contracts; and altering the Certified Local Farm Enterprise Food Aggregation Grant Fund to be the Certified Local Farm and Fish Food Aggregation

Grant Fund.


MARBIDCO’s grant program is designed to stimulate increased market access for small Maryland farmers who wish to sell to wholesale and institutional buyers. Maryland law encourages State agencies (including public four-year universities) to achieve an overall goal of purchasing 20% of food from certified local farm enterprises and certified Chesapeake Bay invasive species providers.


**Small-Scale Farmer Aggregation Entity Project**

- A grant of between $25,000 and $100,000 is available.

- Applicants for the small-scale farmer-led aggregation grant must include at least four Certified Local Farm Enterprises or consist of one Certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider. For projects with a Certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider, they should be sourcing invasive species from at least four licensed commercial watermen.

- Applicants must provide at least a 20% match of private funds in the project.

- An example of a small-scale aggregation entity could include an Agricultural Product Aggregation and Distribution Entity, an entity (including a farming operation aggregator)working with at least 4 farms (or 3 if the applicant is a farm) that can expand to meet institutional/wholesale demand. Another example of a small-scale farmer aggregation entity could be a legally organized farm cooperative.

- The applicant must provide evidence that it will be selling a certain quantity of product to a wholesale or institutional buyer. This evidence could be in the form of a contract or letter of commitment specifying that it will purchase a certain amount of product.

Grant funds could be used to purchase cold storage equipment or construct an indoor processing facility in order to better handle products moving to wholesale and institutional buyers.



The establishment or expansion of local farm food aggregators in Maryland can help provide a link between the small farmer and the large-scale buyer such as a wholesaler or large institution that is looking to purchase locally grown food.
In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly altered the original Certified Local Farm Enterprise Program to become the Certified Local Farm and Fish Program; expanding the purpose of the program to include food from certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Providers in the overall percentage goal of 20% of State institutions total dollar value for certain food procurement contracts; and altering the Certified Local Farm Enterprise Food Aggregation Grant Fund to be the Certified Local Farm and Fish Food Aggregation
Grant Fund.

MARBIDCO’s grant program is designed to stimulate increased market access for small Maryland farmers who wish to sell to wholesale and institutional buyers. Maryland law encourages State agencies (including public four-year universities) to achieve an overall goal of purchasing 20% of food from certified local farm enterprises and certified Chesapeake Bay invasive species providers.

Small-Scale Farmer Aggregation Entity Project
- A grant of between $25,000 and $100,000 is available.
- Applicants for the small-scale farmer-led aggregation grant must include at least four Certified Local Farm Enterprises or consist of one Certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider. For projects with a Certified Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider, they should be sourcing invasive species from at least four licensed commercial watermen.
- Applicants must provide at least a 20% match of private funds in the project.
- An example of a small-scale aggregation entity could include an Agricultural Product Aggregation and Distribution Entity, an entity (including a farming operation aggregator)working with at least 4 farms (or 3 if the applicant is a farm) that can expand to meet institutional/wholesale demand. Another example of a small-scale farmer aggregation entity could be a legally organized farm cooperative.
- The applicant must provide evidence that it will be selling a certain quantity of product to a wholesale or institutional buyer. This evidence could be in the form of a contract or letter of commitment specifying that it will purchase a certain amount of product.
Grant funds could be used to purchase cold storage equipment or construct an indoor processing facility in order to better handle products moving to wholesale and institutional buyers.

Small-Scale Farmer Aggregation Project
Applicants for the small-scale farmer aggregation grant must include at least four Certified Local Farm Enterprise farmers and applicants must provide at least a 20% match of private funds in the project. An example of a small-scale aggregation entity could include an agricultural marketing group (an LLC), or legally organized farm cooperative using the grant funds to purchase cold storage equipment or construct an indoor processing facility in order to better handle products moving to wholesale and institutional buyers.The applicant must provide evidence that it will be selling some quantity of product to a specific wholesale or institutional buyer. An example could be the public school system. This could be in the form of a contract or letter of commitment, which specifies it will purchase a certain amount of product
Public Sector Aggregation Project
Applicants for the larger scale aggregation grant will be a public entity (such as a county government, municipality, community college, university, county school system or rural regional council). The grant is for public projects that plan to be primarily aggregation centers for wholesale and institutional buyers. If the applicant is the buyer, it would need to provide a commitment to purchase from at least four Certified Local Farm Enterprise farmers and include what it plans to purchase and the amount of each product. If the applicant is facilitating the aggregation, it would need to provide evidence of that it will aggregate produce from at least four Certified Local Farm Enterprise farmers and provide a commitment from a wholesaler or institution to purchase from the aggregation center. The grant requires at least a 20% match of funds in the project. A project of this size might also require a partnership of multiple entities and funding sources.

All applications must be electronically submitted to Joshua.k.marshall@agr.nh.gov using the fillable application template provided below. Use the subject line "MPIP RFP 2022".
Additionally, four (4) printed copies of the application must be received by the NHDAMF office no later than 4:00 pm on January 30, 2023. Mail them to: 
Meat Processing Infrastructure Program 
NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food 
PO Box 2042 
Concord, NH 03302-2042

Josh Marshall

The Meat Processing Infrastructure Program (MPIP) is administered by the New Hampshire&#x2004;Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (DAMF). The grant provides funding for infrastructure investments for local farmers and meat and poultry processing facilities to increase capacity and efficiencies of the meat and poultry processing industry within the state. The goal of the grant program is to alleviate impacts of COVID-19 on the local meat and poultry processing industry by supporting increased capacity, labor saving efficiencies, and encouraging value-added products through capital investments and other related infrastructure improvements.



The Meat Processing Infrastructure Program (MPIP) is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (DAMF). The grant provides funding for infrastructure investments for local farmers and meat and poultry processing facilities to increase capacity and efficiencies of the meat and poultry processing industry within the state. The goal of the grant program is to alleviate impacts of COVID-19 on the local meat and poultry processing industry by supporting increased capacity, labor saving efficiencies, and encouraging value-added products through capital investments and other related infrastructure improvements.

- Be a new or existing New Hampshire based meat processing facility, farm, or business that provides slaughter, processing, or custom butchering services.
- Be in good standing with the State of New Hampshire.

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

MPIP will award up to $750,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum individual grant award will be $200,000 and the minimum will be $1,000. There will be one round of funding.

List of Agricultural Funding for Value-Added Products