Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

AMS reviews a producer’s application and detailed farm/ranch plan. If the information is sufficient, AMS approves the producer and the cattle and/or sheep as meeting the requirements of the USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small (SVS) Producers.  Producers certified under this program receive a certificate that allows them to market cattle and sheep as USDA Certified grass-fed.

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Grants Division

The USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small (SVS) Producers was designed to create opportunities for small-scale livestock producers who would like to have their ruminant animals certified as grass fed.



This program, is designed for producers who market 49 cattle or less each year or lambs produced from 99 ewes or less.

This program requires that ruminant animals be fed only grass and forage, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning.  Animals certified under this program cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season.

The “49 cattle or less” or “lambs produced from 99 or less ewes” rule is based upon the smallest groups identified in the Census of Agriculture.

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

Discount

Cattle

Lambs

Ewes

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Livestock

Sheep

- Official Listing for Grass Fed Beef SVS Program
- Official Listing for Grass Fed Sheep SVS Program
- QAD 1020: Grass Fed Program SVS Producers
- QAD 1020C: Application for SVS Cattle Program
- QAD 1020S: Application for SVS Sheep Program
- National Grass Fed Beef Report (Monthly)

Organic

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

Regenerative

Cost of the Service: The set fee for the review is $115.00.

Duration of the approval: Two year period.

The board will review each proposal and make funding recommendations to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for approval.

Steve Lee

Program Manager

The Sheep Production & Marketing Grant Program seeks to develop solutions for practical problems on a national basis and address the needs of the entire sheep industry, while focusing on the measurable benefits for sheep producers, encouraging partnerships among other sheep industry organizations, and reducing duplication of effort among participating organizations.


Financial assistance provided by the center must accomplish one or more of the following objectives:

- Strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States through the improvement of infrastructure, business, resource development and the development of innovative approaches to solve long term problems.

- Provide leadership training and education to industry stakeholders.

- Assist all segments of the industry in addressing sustainable production and marketing of sheep and sheep products.

- Promote marketing of sheep and sheep products through an organized method that can measure tangible results.

- Enhance the sheep industry by coordinating information exchange and seeking mutual understanding and marketing within the industry community.




The Sheep Production & Marketing Grant Program seeks to develop solutions for practical problems on a national basis and address the needs of the entire sheep industry, while focusing on the measurable benefits for sheep producers, encouraging partnerships among other sheep industry organizations, and reducing duplication of effort among participating organizations.

Financial assistance provided by the center must accomplish one or more of the following objectives:
- Strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States through the improvement of infrastructure, business, resource development and the development of innovative approaches to solve long term problems.
- Provide leadership training and education to industry stakeholders.
- Assist all segments of the industry in addressing sustainable production and marketing of sheep and sheep products.
- Promote marketing of sheep and sheep products through an organized method that can measure tangible results.
- Enhance the sheep industry by coordinating information exchange and seeking mutual understanding and marketing within the industry community.


Eligible applicants include national entities with a mission consistent with the SPMGP’s purpose.

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

Grant

Rams

Events

Certification

Diversification

Distribution

Trade Relief

Labor

To apply, reach out to your local USDA service center.

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities. A 25% match is required.



All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated and located within the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to be considered eligible. Entities that are eligible to apply include:
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks and associations
- Food Councils
- Economic development corporations
- Local governments
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations
- Producer networks or associations
- Regional farmers' market authorities
- Tribal governments

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

Cost Share

- COVID-19 Resources for Grants
- Farmers Market Promotion Program Overview (Video)
- 2020 FMPP Request For Application
- What AMS grant is right for me?

Farmers Market

Agritourism

Local Food

Food Systems

Recreation

The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Grants can be used for the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise or to improve or expand a food business that supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food system infrastructure by performing feasibility studies, market research, training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise. A 25% match is required.




Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. Such entities may include:

All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated and located within the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to be considered eligible. Entities that are eligible to apply include:
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives.
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks and associations.
- Food councils.
- Economic development corporations.
- Local governments.
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations.
- Producer networks or associations.
- Regional farmers’ market authorities.
- Tribal governments.

- COVID-19 Resources for Grants
- Local Food Promotion Program Overview
- 2020 LFPP Request For Application [RFAs]
- What AMS grant is right for me?


Emily DeBord

Under this program, eligible dairy organizations partner with non-profit organizations that distribute food to low-income individuals. Those partnerships may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations.

In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress directed USDA to develop the program to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter.

Interested partnerships must apply for 2019, 2020, and 2021 program participation by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan, for each fiscal year. Applications for FY19 and FY20 will be accepted through October 30, 2020. Applications for FY21 will be accepted through March 31, 2021. See below for information on how to apply and claim reimbursement. Claims for reimbursement for FY19 and FY20 will be accepted through December 31, 2020.

This [webinar ](https://youtu.be/4NENVyIOT1w)provides information on the program and how to apply.



Under this program, eligible dairy organizations partner with non-profit organizations that distribute food to low-income individuals. Those partnerships may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations.
In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress directed USDA to develop the program to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter.
Interested partnerships must apply for 2019, 2020, and 2021 program participation by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan, for each fiscal year. Applications for FY19 and FY20 will be accepted through October 30, 2020. Applications for FY21 will be accepted through March 31, 2021. See below for information on how to apply and claim reimbursement. Claims for reimbursement for FY19 and FY20 will be accepted through December 31, 2020.
This webinar provides information on the program and how to apply.

A price safety net or insurance on a product that might face situational changes.

Insurance

Milk

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Dairy

- Notice to Trade: USDA Announces Milk Donation Reimbursement Program Application Deadline for Fiscal Year 2021
- Notice to Trade: USDA Announces Issuance of Approvals for Milk Donation Reimbursement Program
- Notice to Trade: USDA Extends Application Deadline for Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to December 6, 2019
- Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP): What Do I Need to Know?
- Federal Register Notice published September 5, 2019
- Press Release: USDA Removes Red Tape and Extends Application Deadline to Increase Milk Donations, Program Modifications will help American dairy processors donate more milk for distribution to low-income individuals
- Commodity Specifications for Fluid Milk and Milk Products Eligible for the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (pdf)


Public Health

Each year, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) publishes an RFA in the Federal Register and solicits applications from eligible organizations. There is no set timeframe for when the RFA is released, though AMS attempts to publish during the first quarter of each calendar year. Each RFA typically gives applicants 60-90 days to prepare and submit their applications for grant funding.

The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The program focuses on strengthening the viability and resilience of regional food economies through collaboration and coordination. In 2020, USDA awarded 23 partnerships in 15 states. 



Being a partnership program, applicants must consist of multiple entities and organizations. This program is not intended for projects conducted by single organizations with several collaborators, but rather for multi-sector partnerships of organizations coming together on more or less equal footing to execute multi-faceted projects. A partnership is an agreement between one or more eligible entities and one more eligible partner.

Partnerships that include “Limited Resource Entities” are strongly encouraged to apply. AMS defines “Limited Resource Entities” as any organization that provides technical assistance services to and engages historically underserved farmers and ranchers in addressing their needs. See USDA definition of Historically Underserved Groups for further information.

Eligible Partners include:
- State Agencies or Regional Authorities
- Philanthropic Corporations
- Institutions of Higher Education
- Commercial, Federal or Farm Credit System Lending Institutions
- Private Corporations 

Eligible Entities include:
- Individual producers
- Farmer or rancher cooperatives, producer networks or associations
- Majority-controlled producer based business ventures
- Food Councils (a.k.a food policy council)
- Community Supported Agriculture Networks or Associations
- Local Governments
- Nonprofit Corporations
- Public Benefit Corporations
- Economic Development Corporations
- Regional Farmers Market Authorities
- Tribal Governments

- Federal Register
- 2020 Request for Application
- Apply for a DUNS number
- Register with System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
- Register with www.grants.gov

As a program designed to use public investment to catalyze the development and expansion of local and regional food economies, RFSP grants require a non-federal cash match equal to 25% of the total amount of federal funding provided. As a result, in-kind contributions do not count towards the match; however, in-kind contributions do contribute to priority consideration during the administrative review portion of the application process.


If you are a producer interested in applying, applications for specialty crop projects must be submitted to the appropriate state department of agriculture to be considered for funding. To learn how to apply for SCBGP funding in your state, contact your SCBGP state department of agriculture contact. 

A listing of the most recent state requests for proposals is here: 2020 State Requests for Proposals.

Carly Borgmeier

Annie Ceccarini

Selene Gates

Gabriella Hill

Jillian Kaplan

Sabrina Simms

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)."


The agency, commission, or department responsible for agriculture within any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible to apply directly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grant funds. Organizations or individuals interested in the SCBGP should contact their state department of agriculture for more information.



The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)."

The agency, commission, or department responsible for agriculture within any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible to apply directly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grant funds. Organizations or individuals interested in the SCBGP should contact their state department of agriculture for more information.

To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) must "solely enhance the competitiveness of US specialty crops" in either domestic or foreign markets.

Crops that are eligible
- ​​Fruits
- Vegetables
- Tree nuts
- Dried fruits
- Christmas trees
- Turf type grasses
- Nursery crops (including floriculture and horticulture)

A complete list of eligible and ineligible crops under the grant program can be found at the USDA specialty crop block grant website.​

Applicants are encouraged to read program guidelines document for full eligibility requirements prior to submitting a proposal.​

Applicant eligibility​:

The following organizations can submit projects that aim to enhance the production and competitiveness of each state's specialty crop industries:
- Non-profit organizations 
- Government entities
- For-profit organizations
- Industry trade associations
- Producer groups
- Commodity commissions
- Public and private colleges/universities

Exclusions​:
- Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide profit only to a single organization, institution, or individual.
- Funds may not be used to purchase fixed assets or personal property.
- Expenditures incurred prior to grant award may not be included in the grant request or eligible for reimbursement.
- Administration or indirect costs (defined as expenses incurred in controlling or directing an organization, but not directly identifiable with financing, marketing, or production operations) cannot be paid for with these grant funds.​

List of Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Funding Opportunities

Grass Fed Small & Very Small Producer Program (SVS)

Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program (SPMGP)

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP)

Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP)

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)