Agricultural Grants
The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Agricultural Resource Development has a requirement for grant proposals which, if approved, will become part of funding from the Agricultural Development Grant Program. In accordance with State procurement practices, the Department is hereby announcing the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP# 201510180) for proposals from qualified applicants.
The 119th Legislature authorized an Agricultural Development Fund (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 10 §306A - 309). The Legislature identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may allocate the grant funds among projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of State agricultural products. The Department has $250,000 available and may select multiple projects with maximum amounts of up to $50,000 per award.
The Commissioner has established priorities for this RFP. All submitted proposals need to be for projects which demonstrate readiness and that can be commenced immediately upon acceptance. Proposals that incorporate one or more of the priorities below will be considered more favorably in the evaluation process. They are:
1. Technological and/or process improvements that demonstrate profitability
of Maine grown crops, or result in reduction of costs associated with drought
or other natural crop disturbances for Maine farmers.
2.
Product enhancements for value added, nutrition, marketing and/or food
safety.
3.
Alternative markets or diversification including participation in
national or regional commodity events, merchandising, farm stands, rural tours
and education
4.
Development or expansion of livestock processing.
A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the Department’s RFP Coordinator for this project: Jessica Nixon, Director of Market Development. The RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov or mailing address: 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The Department encourages all interested vendors to obtain a copy of the RFP and submit a competitive proposal.
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