Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Apply for this grant on grants.gov: Search for CFDA number 10.443

The USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program), is managed by USDA’s** **Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The 1990 Farm Bill established the program to provide outreach and technical assistance for underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters, in owning and operating sustainable farms and ranches while increasing their participation in USDA programs and services. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the program’s reach to veterans. The 2018 Farm Bill boosts mandatory funding for the program through FY 2023.

FOTO is the combination of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program). USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers BFRDP and USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) manages the 2501 Program. FOTO provides mandatory funding of $30 million for fiscal year (FY) 2020 and increases funding annually up to $50 million by FY2023. Annual funding will be split equally between BFRDP and the 2501 Program.



The USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program), is managed by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The 1990 Farm Bill established the program to provide outreach and technical assistance for underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters, in owning and operating sustainable farms and ranches while increasing their participation in USDA programs and services. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the program’s reach to veterans. The 2018 Farm Bill boosts mandatory funding for the program through FY 2023.
FOTO is the combination of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program). USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers BFRDP and USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) manages the 2501 Program. FOTO provides mandatory funding of $30 million for fiscal year (FY) 2020 and increases funding annually up to $50 million by FY2023. Annual funding will be split equally between BFRDP and the 2501 Program.

Eligible organizations:
- Community-Based & Non-Profit Organizations 
- Tribal Governments & Colleges 
- Higher Education Institutions with Agricultural Programs (such as 1890s, 1994s and Hispanic-Serving Institutions) 
- Alaskan Native Cooperative Colleges 

Organizations must have documented experience in working with socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers for at least three (3) years to qualify for the 2501 Program.

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

Grant

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

See the most recent Request For Applications for instructions on how to apply.

Reinvestment Fund

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is a public-private partnership administered by Reinvestment Fund, a national, nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on behalf of USDA Rural Development. HFFI was established by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the 2014 Farm Bill), and reauthorized and expanded in 2018 Farm Bill.

HFFI offers grants and technical assistance to food retail and food system enterprises that seek to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas. Grants could are available to assist projects with a variety of aspects of retail or enterprise development, renovation, or expansion. Grants are made as one-time investments of capital into a food retail or food enterprise project, with the goal of helping them to overcome cost and other barriers to entry in underserved areas across the country.

Technical Assistance (TA) will is also available to eligible organizations, and may include: support with capacity building; identifying food access needs and potential interventions; project planning; market studies; feasibility studies; business planning; financial modeling; appraisals; and community or customer engagement. 



The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is a public-private partnership administered by Reinvestment Fund, a national, nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on behalf of USDA Rural Development. HFFI was established by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the 2014 Farm Bill), and reauthorized and expanded in 2018 Farm Bill.
HFFI offers grants and technical assistance to food retail and food system enterprises that seek to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas. Grants could are available to assist projects with a variety of aspects of retail or enterprise development, renovation, or expansion. Grants are made as one-time investments of capital into a food retail or food enterprise project, with the goal of helping them to overcome cost and other barriers to entry in underserved areas across the country.
Technical Assistance (TA) will is also available to eligible organizations, and may include: support with capacity building; identifying food access needs and potential interventions; project planning; market studies; feasibility studies; business planning; financial modeling; appraisals; and community or customer engagement. 

For-profit businesses, cooperative businesses, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments and governmental agencies will be eligible to apply.
The program will support projects aiming to strengthen, expand, and innovate within the food retail supply chain. The program could assist a variety of organizations, business models, and capital needs of ventures that process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets. Projects must demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to food access through the availability of staple and perishable foods for retail sale.
To be eligible for assistance, applicants must propose a project that:
1. Plans to expand or preserve the availability of staple and perishable foods in underserved areas with low and moderate-income populations; and
2. If the project involves retail sales, accepts benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 USC 2011 et. Seq.)
To be eligible for financial or technical assistance through America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative, applicants must propose a project in an underserved area. Use the interactive map on this page to determine if your project’s proposed location qualifies as underserved.

- RFA Info Session Webinar- Recording
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Online Grants Portal Registration and Application Guide

Local Food

Nutrition & Food Safety

Farmers Market

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this RFA. Find the Grants.gov page for this opportunity at this link found under either the Assistance Listing number 10.180, or the Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-MPIRG-G-21-0001.”

For an overview of the Grants.gov application process see Grants.gov’s Apply for Grants webpage. This RFA contains the information needed to obtain and complete required application forms and AMS-specific attachments. More information about applying through Grants.gov can be found in section 4.7 Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements. 

Eric Bozoian

The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program assists currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection under the [Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA)](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/federal-meat-inspection-act) or the [Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA)](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/poultry-products-inspection-act); or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with FMIA or PPIA under a respective [Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/apply-grant-inspection/state-inspection-programs/cooperative-interstate-shipping-program).

The MPIRG focuses on:

- Improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency;

- Developing new and expanding existing markets;

- Increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand;

- Maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards;

- Obtaining a larger commercial presence; and

- Increasing access to slaughter/processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.


### Why would you want a Federal Grant of Inspection?

Obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection affords you the ability to:

- Sell your products through wholesale channels

- Sell your products across state lines

- Avoid the legal hassle of keeping your operation within an [FSIS inspection exemption](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import/Compliance-Guideline-LIvestock-Exemptions.pdf).


On the other hand, acquiring and maintaining a Federal Grant of Inspection comes with [significant regulations and responsibilities.](https://pregunteleakaren.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f1dc9098-e8b9-4337-a317-f73ee7ab47c1/Applying_Federal_Grant_Inspection.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) If the trade-off is worth it for your operation, MPIRG is a great opportunity to get a grant to help with that conversion.




The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program assists currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA); or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with FMIA or PPIA under a respective Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.
The MPIRG focuses on:
- Improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency;
- Developing new and expanding existing markets;
- Increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand;
- Maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards;
- Obtaining a larger commercial presence; and
- Increasing access to slaughter/processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.

Why would you want a Federal Grant of Inspection?
Obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection affords you the ability to:
- Sell your products through wholesale channels
- Sell your products across state lines
- Avoid the legal hassle of keeping your operation within an FSIS inspection exemption.

On the other hand, acquiring and maintaining a Federal Grant of Inspection comes with significant regulations and responsibilities. If the trade-off is worth it for your operation, MPIRG is a great opportunity to get a grant to help with that conversion.


Eligible Facilities
To be eligible for a grant, a meat or poultry slaughter or processing facility shall be-- 
1. in operation as of the date on which the facility submits to an application for the grant; and 
2. seeking- 
    a. to obtain a Federal grant of inspection. or 
    b. to be eligible for inspection under a cooperative interstate shipment program (CIS) in a State that participates in that program. 
Eligible Activities
A facility that receives a grant may use the grant amount for the below activities as long as the activities contribute to meeting the requirements of obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection.
1. the modernization or expansion of existing facilities; 
2. the modernization of equipment;
3. compliance with packaging and labeling requirements under applicable law; 
4. compliance with safety requirements under applicable law
5. the development of processes to ensure food safety; and
6. such other purposes as the AMS determines to be appropriate.

Ambrook Note: 
- You are likely an eligible 'operating processing facility' if you slaughter animals on your farm for any business purpose. Even if you have never known it, you are likely operating under an FSIS inspection exemption.



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

Cost Share

Beef Cattle

Poultry

Sheep

Pigs

Goats

Equine

Turkey

Chickens

Ducks

Geese

Cornish Hens

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Horses

Poults

Toms

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Cattle

Livestock

Specialty Livestock

- 2021 Request for Applications (pdf)
- Project Narrative (docx)
- Do you qualify for the MPRIG Grant? (pdf)
- AMS will be hosting a webinar for applicants. For dates and registration instructions, visit AMS' webinars page.
- FSIS Guidance on the requirements for Federal inspection
- FSIS Exemptions Brochure

This funding opportunity does not have a Federal cost-sharing or matching requirement for fiscal year 2021. Such information should not be included in the FY2021 submitted application. However, there is a $1:$1 matching requirement for subsequent MPIRG fiscal years (FY2022 and beyond). Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider applying in FY2021. 

Apply for this program on Grants.gov. Search for opportunity 10.935.

If your organization has never submitted an application via Grants.gov, be aware that there are several steps you must take to register your organization before you can submit an application. Completing those steps takes a significant amount of time. For information about the Grants.gov pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see this guide.

Melanie  Krizmanich

The purpose of UAIP is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including— 

- community gardens and farms; 

- rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green walls; 

- indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical technology farms; 

- hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; and 

- other innovations in agricultural production, such as agroforestry and food forests


### Project Type Descriptions 

1. Planning Projects (PP)—The purpose of PP is to support the development of projects that will either initiate, build upon, or expand the efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in communities where access to fresh foods are limited or unavailable. PPs may be, but are not limited, to accomplish one or any number of the following— 

    1. Develop recommendations for implementing community gardens and farms that can include urban agroforestry practices, food forests, or orchards, that respond to community needs as it relates to how food is grown, distributed, and marketed in target area(s); 

    2. Facilitate agriculture assessments and identify opportunities that connect community needs with the benefits of agriculture such as food access, nutrition education, conservation, innovation, and economic development; 

    3. Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies to help offset start-up costs for new and beginning farmers; 

    4. Provide support for municipal planning that consider policies to meet the growing needs of and zoning for community gardens and farms, urban agroforestry, orchards, rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, green walls, indoor farms, greenhouses, high-tech vertical technology farms, and hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; or 

    5. Assist schools that seek to increase knowledge of food and agricultural disciplines such as nutrition, crop and biology science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to develop and implement programs that create future leaders, farmers, gardeners, and entrepreneurs in agriculture and innovative production. 

2. Implementation Projects (IP)—The purpose of IP is to accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple Page 6 of 24 farmers or gardeners. IPs are to improve access to local food in the targetarea(s). IPs may be designed to— 

    1. Facilitate the development of entrepreneurial projects by offering needed resources, such as job training, land, equipment, mentoring, and other business development assistance to new and beginning farmers; 

    2. Increase food production in small urban and indoor spaces with emerging technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop farms, urban agroforestry etc.; 

    3. Operate community gardens or nonprofit farms to educate a community on food systems, nutrition, environmental impacts, urban agroforestry, food forests, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural production and/or to offer hands-on training in farming or gardening; 

    4. Meet specific State, local, or community food and agricultural needs by assisting municipalities, food producers, community organizations, and schools with policies for community gardens and farms that address food access, soil health, emerging technologies, and agricultural business; or 

    5. Provide schools with resources to incorporate and emphasize the importance of growing and consuming nutritious food as well as training students for careers in agriculture.



The purpose of UAIP is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including— 
- community gardens and farms; 
- rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green walls; 
- indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical technology farms; 
- hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; and 
- other innovations in agricultural production, such as agroforestry and food forests

Project Type Descriptions 
1. Planning Projects (PP)—The purpose of PP is to support the development of projects that will either initiate, build upon, or expand the efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in communities where access to fresh foods are limited or unavailable. PPs may be, but are not limited, to accomplish one or any number of the following— 
    a. Develop recommendations for implementing community gardens and farms that can include urban agroforestry practices, food forests, or orchards, that respond to community needs as it relates to how food is grown, distributed, and marketed in target area(s); 
    b. Facilitate agriculture assessments and identify opportunities that connect community needs with the benefits of agriculture such as food access, nutrition education, conservation, innovation, and economic development; 
    c. Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies to help offset start-up costs for new and beginning farmers; 
    d. Provide support for municipal planning that consider policies to meet the growing needs of and zoning for community gardens and farms, urban agroforestry, orchards, rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, green walls, indoor farms, greenhouses, high-tech vertical technology farms, and hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; or 
    e. Assist schools that seek to increase knowledge of food and agricultural disciplines such as nutrition, crop and biology science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to develop and implement programs that create future leaders, farmers, gardeners, and entrepreneurs in agriculture and innovative production. 
2. Implementation Projects (IP)—The purpose of IP is to accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple Page 6 of 24 farmers or gardeners. IPs are to improve access to local food in the targetarea(s). IPs may be designed to— 
    a. Facilitate the development of entrepreneurial projects by offering needed resources, such as job training, land, equipment, mentoring, and other business development assistance to new and beginning farmers; 
    b. Increase food production in small urban and indoor spaces with emerging technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop farms, urban agroforestry etc.; 
    c. Operate community gardens or nonprofit farms to educate a community on food systems, nutrition, environmental impacts, urban agroforestry, food forests, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural production and/or to offer hands-on training in farming or gardening; 
    d. Meet specific State, local, or community food and agricultural needs by assisting municipalities, food producers, community organizations, and schools with policies for community gardens and farms that address food access, soil health, emerging technologies, and agricultural business; or 
    e. Provide schools with resources to incorporate and emphasize the importance of growing and consuming nutritious food as well as training students for careers in agriculture.

Eligible Applicants:
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- A unit of local government; and 
- Any school that serves any of the grades kindergarten through grade 12

Facilities

Socially Disadvantaged

The estimated funding floor for Planning Projects (PP) is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $200,000.
The estimated funding floor for Implementation Projects (IP) is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $300,000.
The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.
The primary goal of UAIP is to assist eligible entities with projects that support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2021 will be approximately $4 million.

List of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Funding Opportunities

Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program (FOTO)

Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG)

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program (UAIP)