Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Rural Development (RD)

Applicants are encouraged to review the Applicant Self-Screening Tool to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.
All FPEP applications must be filed through Grants.gov.  
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete FPEP application is filed. 
Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Project Narrative
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide (for projects requesting $5 M or more)
- Signed Certifications Fillable Form
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Please reference Section 3.7 of the MPPEP RFA for registration instructions.

The Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is intended to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide&#x2004;agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. Program funding supports projects that significantly increase domestic process-manufacturing capacity and fertilizer availability, including expansions or upgrades of existing facilities, construction of new domestic production facilities, shovel-ready projects capable of rapidly increasing domestic supply, and on-site fertilizer terminals and transportation infrastructure that improve supply-chain efficiency. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is utilizing the services of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service to implement the program.



The Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is intended to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. Program funding supports projects that significantly increase domestic process-manufacturing capacity and fertilizer availability, including expansions or upgrades of existing facilities, construction of new domestic production facilities, shovel-ready projects capable of rapidly increasing domestic supply, and on-site fertilizer terminals and transportation infrastructure that improve supply-chain efficiency. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is utilizing the services of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service to implement the program.

Entities are eligible regardless of legal structure and may include Tribes, Tribal Entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit entities, corporations, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities. Private entities must be independently owned and operated.

Eligible applicants must operate within the U.S. and its territories and propose projects physically located within the U.S. and its territories; be domestically owned; process-manufacture (or plan to) in accordance with all federal, state, Tribal and local regulations; and be registered in SAM.gov and maintain registration through the term of an award. Additionally, eligible applicants (including affiliates) must not hold a market share in production greater than or equal to the entity holding the fourth-largest share of that market for any of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, potash, or any combination thereof. Multiple applications from affiliated applicant entities are not permitted.

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

Grant

Weeds

Farmers Market

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Food Systems

At least $500 million is available; the maximum award amount is $150 million. Eligible uses of funds include: construction of a new facility or purchase of an existing facility to expand capacity or output (including land purchase); pre-development costs (engineering and professional fees); working capital to support expanded capacity (not as the primary use); modernizing or expanding an existing facility; purchasing new or modernizing existing process-manufacturing equipment; customizing and installing equipment/technology that improves processing, worker conditions, or safety; ensuring compliance with packaging/labeling and occupational-safety requirements; and improving fertilizer logistics (distribution, transportation, storage) to benefit producers (not as the primary use). Applications are filed electronically through Grants.gov. Authorized by section 5(b) of the CCC Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714c(b)); questions to FIELDS@usda.gov.

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.

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

Loan

- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice
- Frequently Asked Questions

Public Health

Compliance

Infrastructure

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

All MPPEP applications must be filed through www.Grants.gov.
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete MPPEP application is filed. Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Application Template
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Register for SAM here.

MPEPP Question Portal

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.



Eligible Producers
Sole proprietor businesses or other entities that engage – or want to engage – in meat and poultry processing.
Eligible Projects
Grant funds can be used to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Building new – or modernizing or expanding existing – processing facilities
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
- Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
- Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
- Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
- Paying for voluntary grading services on value-added processed products
- Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
- Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention


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

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Local Food

The maximum award amount is $25 million, or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. There is no minimum award amount.
Eligible applicants must also do the following:
- Process – or plan to process – one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or the Poultry Product Inspection Act.
- Have – or plan to get – a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a federal equivalent Tribal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program 
- Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact your local state office for additional information and to apply for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.

This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.

- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.



This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Who may apply for this program?

The following are eligible to be a Microenterprise Development Organization:
- Nonprofits.
- Federally-recognized tribes.
- Institutions of higher education.

The following are eligible to apply for a loan from the MDO as an ultimate recipient:
- Businesses located in an eligible area with 10 or fewer full-time employees.

What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas outside a city or town with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents. Urbanized areas near a city of 50,000 or more may not be eligible.
- The borrower’s headquarters may be based within a larger city so long as the project service area is located in an eligible rural area.
- The lender may be located anywhere.

Check eligible addresses for Business Programs.

Are there other requirements?

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:
- Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
- Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

- Program Fact Sheet
- RBCS How-To Apply Video Series for Applicants

Stewardship

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Labor

Historically Underserved

What kind of funding is available? 
- Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
- Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization. Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?
- Maximum term is 20 years.
- Two-year payment deferral.
- Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?
- Up to $50,000.
- Fixed interest rate.
- Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
- Working capital.
- Debt refinancing.
- Purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Improving real estate.

A two-phase application process starts with pre-applications. Selected pre-applications are invited to submit final applications. 
Pre-applications are submitted electronically in the format described by the Federal Register Notice. For the currently open call for applications for repair projects, those instructions begin on page 6 (numbered 13379) if this Federal Register Notice.
If your pre-application is accepted, you will be given instructions on how to make a full application.

This program provides affordable financing to develop housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers.



This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants. Borrowers must have sufficient qualifications and experience to develop and operate the project. Qualified applicants include:
- Farmers, associations of farmers and family farm corporations
- Associations of farmworkers and nonprofit organizations*
- Most State and local governmental entities*
- Federally-recognized Tribes*

*Eligible to apply for grants and loans

Housing may be constructed in urban or rural areas, as long as there is a demonstrated need.

Training

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

HVAC

Irrigation

Lighting

Repairs

Storage

Equipment

How may funds be used?
Construction, improvement, repair and purchase of housing for domestic farm laborers is the primary objective of this program.

Funding may also be available for related activities including:
- Buying and improve land
- Purchasing household furnishings
- Paying construction loan interest
- For a complete list, see 7 CFR 3560.53

Who may live in the rental housing?
- Domestic farm laborers, including those working on fish and oyster farms and on-farm processing (1)
- Retired and/or disabled farm laborers
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Very-low- to moderate-income households (2)

What kinds of funding are available?
- Low interest loans
- Grants based on need and may not exceed 90% of project cost

What are the loan terms?
- Up to 33 year payback period
- 1% fixed rate
- An allocation of loan funds is also available for on-farm labor housing and is funded on a first-come, first-served basis

Read the Funding Opportunity and Application Guide on Grants.gov and follow those instructions to apply.

This program helps qualified nonprofits and tribes create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas.



Nonprofits that have:
- Expertise and experience promoting the safe, productive use of individually-owned household water wells systems
- Legal authority to act as a lender
- Sufficient expertise and experience in lending activities
- Financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with relevant federal and state laws and regulations

Business Plan

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Transition

Succession

Before You Apply
To submit an application for this program, you must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with an active registration, as required by 2 CFR Part 25.
SAM registration is free, but the process can take time. It is recommended that you begin registering at least one month before the application deadline to ensure your registration is active when you apply.
If you are already registered in SAM, you do not need to register again. However, you must confirm that your registration is active and remains active throughout the Period of Performance.
Before starting the SAM registration process, review the HELP materials available on the SAM website. After creating your account, you can register your organization. Be sure to note your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), as it will be required for your application.

To Apply
Applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program must be submitted through the Grant Application Portal, also known as GAP.
Before beginning your application, we encourage you to complete the VAPG Self-Assessment survey. This step is optional but can help you determine your potential eligibility for the program. We also recommend contacting your local Business Program Specialist to discuss your project. To find the appropriate contact, please select your state from the 'For State Specific Information' dropdown menu above. Once selected, your state’s contacts will appear under the Contact tab.
To access GAP and begin your application, you will need to log in through eAuthentication. All applicants must have Level 2 eAuthentication access. If you do not already have an eAuthentication account, you can create one at the USDA eAuthentication website.
Please note that USDA eAuthentication is the system used by USDA agencies to provide secure access to web applications and services. It includes four levels of assurance. Level 2 access is required for GAP and provides a moderate level of confidence in verifying your identity.
Once you complete the login process, you will be directed to the GAP homepage where you can start a new application or return to one already in progress.

Working with Collaborators on your Application
Applications in the Grant Application Portal must be initiated by the Authorized Representative of the applicant entity who has the authority to sign on its behalf.
Applicants may collaborate with others, such as grant writers, consultants, technical assistance providers, owners, or family members. However, the Authorized Representative is responsible for starting the application, for any edits made by collaborators or representatives, and for certifying that the application is true, accurate, and complete.
Collaborators and representatives must have Level 2 eAuthentication access in order to be added to an application. If they do not already have an account, they can create one by visiting the USDA eAuthentication website.

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this&#x2004;program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.


You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.


Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the [Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-11/pdf/2019-26626.pdf) and through an announcement posted on [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html).



The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.

You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

- Agricultural producers (including harvesters and steering committees)
- Agricultural producer groups
- Farmer- or rancher-cooperatives
- Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures
Applicants must demonstrate that they:
- Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity
- Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone

Tp Check Eligibility: 
A VAPG Self-Assessment Survey is available to help determine your eligibility. While not required, it is strongly encouraged before beginning the application process.
Take the VAPG Self-Assessment Survey

VAPG Information
- Harvester Applicants [PDF]
- Locally Produced Food [PDF]
- Mid-Tier Value Chains [PDF]
- Anaerobic Digesters [PDF]
- Food Safety [PDF]
- Tribal Applicants [PDF]
- VAPG/LAMP Award Data by State Office, 2020-2022 [PDF]

Socially Disadvantaged

Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.

List of Rural Development (RD) Funding Opportunities