Michigan Valued Added & Regional Food Systems Grants

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 

• 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. 

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.

• 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