Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

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. 

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

Grant

- 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.

Submit your proposal via email to mda-grants@michigan.gov. Confirmation emails are manually sent, so you will not receive an instant confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation of receipt from within 48 hours, please call 517-284-5734.

Heather Throne

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provides grant opportunities to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.  



- Individuals
- Organizations
- Businesses
- Local Units of Government (county, city, township, village, school district; any authority composed of counties, cities, townships, villages and school districts or combination of these entities) 
- Federally Recognized Tribes
- Educational Institutions 

Projects are eligible if they benefit an Eligible Rural Community or Micropolitan Statistical Areas: See the program guidelines for a full list of eligible areas.

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

Cost Share

2026 Rural Development Fund Fact Sheet
- 2026 Rural Development Fund Grant Guidelines
- Interactive Dashboard

- The maximum limit on grant fund requests is $100,000. The total allotment for funding is approximately $1.74 million.
- Applicants must provide a minimum 30% match.
- This grant is a cost reimbursement program. Grantees are responsible for costs until proper reports/invoices/receipts are received and reviewed. Grantees are required to show proof of payment. 
- Grantees will be eligible for reimbursement up to three (3) times, at specified dates, during the 18-month grant cycle, with the final reimbursement provided at the completion of the project. 
- 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.

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. 

List of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Funding Opportunities