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On May 3, USDA announced the creation of 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers that will provide national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps to success.
By strengthening connections between rural and urban areas, the Regional Food Business Centers will drive economic opportunities across the region, creating a more diversified and resilient food system. Collectively, the organizations selected to lead each Center reflect an impressive cross-section of the varied institutions, organizations, and associations that must cooperate to achieve genuinely strong and distributed food systems. These organizations are engaging with grassroots food and farm organizations and employing a range of creative strategies to build food system resiliency.
 The finalists are listed below with the Lead Organization selected for each center:
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Appalachia USDA Regional Food Business Center, Rural Action, Inc.
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Delta USDA Regional Food Business Center, Mississippi Delta Council for Farmworker Opportunities
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Rio Grande Colonias USDA Regional Food Business Center, Texas A&M AgriLife
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Great Lakes Midwest USDA Regional Food Business Center, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
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Heartland USDA Regional Food Business Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Islands and Remote Areas USDA Regional Food Business Center, Hawaii Good Food Alliance
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North Central USDA Regional Food Business Center, Region Five Development Commission
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Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation
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Northwest and Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Business Center, Colorado State University
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Southeast USDA Regional Food Business Center, Georgia Minority Outreach Network
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Southwest USDA Regional Food Business Center, University of California
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National Intertribal Food Business Center, Intertribal Agriculture Council
For more information on these programs, visit the USDA Regional Food Business Centers Program webpage and the updated FAQs.
Secretary Vilsack recently announced that the USDA is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification through the Organic Transition Initiative.
 AMS will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants to certified organic and transitioning food producers and handlers, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and state and local government entities to fund projects designed to expand and improve markets for domestically produced organic products. This new Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) Program is intended to increase the consumption of domestic agricultural commodities by aiding in the expansion of markets or development of new markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such commodities. AMS is accepting applications for the program through www.grants.gov now through August 8, 2023.
Additionally, the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). FSA will cover up to 75% of costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees (California only). OCCSP will cover costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023. To apply, producers and handlers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center and submit an application by October 31, 2023.
AMS is seeking subject matter experts to serve as peer reviewers to evaluate applications for this program. New reviewers can register through the GrantSolutions- Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM). More information can be found on the How to Become an Application Reviewer and apply to be an AMS grant reviewer webpages. Reviewers already registered in RMM can update their profile with current information.
To learn more about these programs, visit the New Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) Program and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) websites or view the press release below. Further information on these initiatives and more can be found at farmers.gov/organic-transition-initiative.
USDA AMS will provide up to $420 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to states and territories for the purpose of implementing the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. RFSI will use non-competitive cooperative agreements to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities. The goal of the program is to keep profits circulating in rural communities and increase diversity in processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to underserved communities.
The direct recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s RFSI funding will be 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.
For more information visit the RFSI website or email questions to rfsi@usda.gov.
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AMS’ Local & Regional Foods Division has a Wholesale Food & Facility Design team that provides technical assistance and support to stakeholders regarding the construction of new structures or the remodeling of existing ones. This month we are highlighting The Vermont Building, a recent market project currently in design.
The Vermont Building is a major hub of activity during the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E Expo), an agricultural fair for all New England states that takes place over 17 days each autumn. Each New England state has a building to highlight and sell local products. The Vermont Building is known for promoting Vermont-made products, including maple syrup, cheese, and ice cream. This space provides a huge market opportunity for vendors and experienced record-breaking traffic flow in 2022.
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Built in 1929, this historic yet aging facility needs updates and renovations. The State of Vermont Buildings and General Services Agency contacted the Wholesale Food & Facility Design team to request assistance with the planning and design phase of a 10-year renovation. The project is set to be completed by the building’s 100-year anniversary in 2029. In consultation with the State of Vermont Buildings and General Services agency, AMS architect drafted an initial design plan that brought the ethos of Vermont to The Big E – covered bridges, barns, sugar shacks, maple leaves, and skiing – while also addressing the need for increased air flow and ventilation, a modular design, and restroom placement. Upon the approval of the 3D model by Vermont Building representatives, AMS will hand the designs over to the architecture firm hired to complete the renovations.
This example is one of many technical assistance projects that the Wholesale Market and Facility Design supports through their design development, from initial discussions to handing over final models to local professionals that carry out construction. For more information on these services, visit the Wholesale Market and Facility Design website. Please note, when submitting a Request Form, there is a substantial waiting period for services.
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The USDA Farmers Market is the Department's own "living laboratory" for farmers market operations across the country and will be opening this year on June 2. The market supports the local economy, increases marketing opportunities for farmers and small businesses, and provides access to an assortment of local and regionally sourced products.
 The USDA Farmers Market operates Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (June 2 – September 29) and is located outside USDA Headquarters on the corner of Independence and 14th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20250. To stay in touch with all market happenings, subscribe to the USDA Farmers Market Newsletter.
Webinar on Data to Support Your Local Food Systems Work
Does your city, region, or state have its own food systems map, or are you considering creating one? Having a clear idea of what data to include and how to maintain it is a vital first step. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and Colorado State University's Food Systems Institute will explore and showcase the new Food and Agriculture Mapper and Explorer (FAME) data resource to help with essential early decisions in a webinar on June 21, 2023 at 12PM EST / 9AM PST. Hear from members of the team that created and maintain this resource and join in a discussion around how we can collectively support local, regional, and state food systems data and mapping efforts.
Register to attend the webinar on the Local Food Economics Webinar page. To learn more about this project, visit the FAME page on AMS' website.
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Webinar on Preventative Healthcare in Organic Dairy Production
Join USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a webinar on June 6, 2023 at 3PM EST that will discuss organic approaches to healthcare in dairy production. While conventional dairy systems have access to a range of antibiotics and parasiticides for healthcare options, organic systems are more limited in what can be used to treat health problems.
This webinar will cover USDA National Organic Program regulations related to dairy production, typical health problems and alternative approaches, and how healthy systems are created to prevent issues from arising, through building soil health and more. Register today!
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Current USDA Funding Available
May Deadlines
Acer Access and Development Program
Application Due Date: May 30, 2023
The Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) is a competitive grant program that promotes the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with research and education related to maple syrup production, natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple-sap products. This program supports two project types: Market Development and Promotion and Producer and Landowner Education. The funding for each project type ranges from $200,000 to $500,000. For more information visit the Acer webpage and view past grants awarded here.
June Deadlines
Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP)
Application Due Date: June 6, 2023
In April, USDA announced $7.6 million in funding available through the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure communities in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. Subaward eligible activities may include small- scale gardening, small- scale herding and livestock operations, and activities to expand access to food and knowledge of food security. For more information on eligible entities and past awarded programs, visit the MSGSP webpage. Note that the current funding opportunity is for the state and territorial agencies only; subaward opportunities through each participating locality will open at a later date.
Funding for Producers Transitioning to Organic Production
Application Due Date: June 11, 2023
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced details about its $75 million investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production. As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative, NRCS will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise. Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification. NRCS will announce state-specific deadlines later this year, after which producers can apply through NRCS at their local USDA Service Center. For more information, visit farmers.gov/organic, view the press release here, or see the Notice of Funding Opportunity here.
Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) Pilot Project
Application Due Date: June 15, 2023
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), under the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), is soliciting proposals in fiscal year (FY) 2023 from eligible applicants to host a Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot project. The purpose of the CFWR program is to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Proposed projects can be located in all community types including rural, urban and suburban. For more information visit the CFWR website or view the press release here.
Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program
Application Due Date: June 19, 2023
The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Program provides grants to non-profits to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm and ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector. The program encourages the development of training opportunities specifically designed for military veterans. View the grant opportunity here or learn more on the program website.
Rural Development’s Intermediary Lending Program
Application Due Date: Final Quarterly Funding Due June 30, 2023
The Intermediary Lending Program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities. USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity, and combat climate change. Learn more about RD’s Intermediary Lending Program on their webpage.
July Deadlines
Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program Application Due Date: July 19, 2023
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (IAG) is designed to support the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional harvesting methods and indigenous animals. This project intends to fund projects which invest in Tribal Nations’ supply chain resiliency, indigenous animals, restoring local indigenous food systems, and indigenous processing methods, and expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution (communal or commercial) of meat, poultry, seafood, and other animals that provide culturally appropriate food and food security to tribal communities. For more information and the Request for Application visit the IAG webpage.
Local Meat Capacity Grants
Application Due Date: July 19, 2023
AMS requests applications for the fiscal year 2023 Local Meat Capacity Grants (Local MCap). This program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers by modernizing, increasing, diversifying and decentralizing meat and poultry processing capacity, including support for rendering. Approximately $75 million is available under this grant program, subject to appropriations and funds availability. For more information and the Request for Application visit the Local MCap webpage.
August Deadlines
Organic Market Development Grants Program
Application Due Date: August 8, 2023
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants for the Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) Program. The OMDG program will support the development of new and expanded organic markets to help increase the consumption of domestic organic agricultural commodities. OMDG funds projects that increase domestic organic supply chain capacity for producers, handlers, suppliers, and processors; facilitate market development for domestically produced organic food products; and remove barriers to entry to organic certification for smaller producers and historically underserved entities. This program has three project types: Market Development and Promotion, Processing Capacity Projects, and Simplified Equipment -only projects. Project activities may take place over a 24- to 36-month period. Learn more on the OMDG webpage or view the OMDG Request For Applications. For any questions, please email OMDG@usda.gov.
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