Livestock Conservancy Heritage Livestock Microgrant Program

• National Microgrants: This program provides funding for residents and organizations of the U.S. working with livestock and poultry breeds listed on the Conservation Priority List. Support will be provided through this competitive program for a variety of farm-related operations, including, but not limited to, livestock, poultry, processing, milk, meat and egg production and sales, agri-tourism, wool milling, promotions and marketing. Awards typically range from $500 - $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy.

• Youth Microgrants: This U.S.-based program provides funding for youth projects for individuals 12-18 years of age who are actively working with breeds listed on the Conservation Priority List. Support will be provided through this competitive program for a variety of farm-related operations, including, but not limited to, livestock, poultry, processing, milk, meat and egg production and sales, agri-tourism, wool milling, promotions and marketing. Awards typically range from $500 - $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy.

• Premier 1 Microgrant s: This program provides funding for residents and organizations of the U.S. working with livestock and poultry breeds listed on The Livestock Conservancy's Conservation Priority List. Support will be provided for fencing products available through Premier 1 Supplies. Awards typically range from $500 - $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy.

• Breed Association Microgrants: This program is open to U.S. based associations and clubs working with breeds listed on The Livestock Conservancy's Conservation Priority List. Funds are intended to help associations and clubs improve services for their membership and conservation of their breeds. Applicant organizations must be in existence for a minimum of three years, meet their state's requirements for operating as a business or corporation, be incorporated (no Sole Proprietors or Partnerships), and have board approval to pursue the project. Suitable expenditures of Breed Association Microgrants include, but are not limited to, marketing materials, website improvements, gene banking, software, educational events, developing strategic plans, DNA studies, flock or herd rescues.

For full consideration, applicants must:

1. Work with livestock, poultry, or products from animals on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List of heritage breeds, which can be viewed online at livestockconservancy.org.

2. Complete the application, including a detailed plan for the use of the grant funds, a clear timeline for achieving proposed goals, a summary of how the project will impact both the breed and other producers, and a strategy for how you will evaluate success.

3. Include two letters of recommendation from a professional relationship or educator. If the applicant is under 18, a letter of support from a parent or guardian is also required. These can be attached within the online application as a PDF, MS Word, or JPEG file. Letters may not be requested of or provided by current staff or board members of The Livestock Conservancy.

4. Microgrant recipients are required to submit a written report on the use and impact of the microgrant funds within one year of accepting the award.

5. Special consideration will be given to farmers who are active members of their breed association, as well as those farmers who will represent The Livestock Conservancy at local events by displaying heritage animals during the year following receipt of the microgrant.

Small competitive grants, awarded by category. No match is required and nothing is published as a cost-share percentage.

• National Microgrants: "Awards typically range from $500 – $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy." Usable for infrastructure improvements, new genetics for an existing breeding program, processing equipment or services, marketing, agritourism and similar. A fencing-related project in this category is sponsored by Premier 1 Supplies.

• Youth Microgrants (ages 12-18): "Awards range from $500 – $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy."

• Breed Association Microgrants: open to U.S. associations and clubs; the program page states no dollar range for this category. Awards typically go to organizations in existence at least three years and incorporated (no sole proprietors or partnerships).

• Emergency Response Microgrant: "Awards will typically be in the range of $500 – $1,000 per application and at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy." Available case-by-case "as funding allows," for animal transportation, short-term housing, sometimes short-term feed, veterinary care, and infrastructure.

Strings attached: "Microgrant recipients are required to submit a written report and pictures or videos showing the use and impact of the microgrant funds within one year of accepting the award." Applications require a detailed budget, timeline and evaluation plan. Awards are competitive and oversubscribed — "Because applications greatly outnumber available grant awards, we are unable to fund all projects." Current employees and Directors of The Livestock Conservancy and their spouses are not eligible. Since 2019 the program has awarded over $150,000 in total.

Apply online here.

Microgrant applicants will need to register for an account within the microgrants system. Note that this is NOT connected to a Livestock Conservancy membership account. This is a new account just for submitting microgrant applications.

OR submit a paper application to:

The Livestock Conservancy

PO Box 477

Pittsboro, NC 27312

Paper applications must be postmarked BEFORE deadline.

• Heritage Breed Lists