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USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced several new programs that strengthen the middle of the food supply chain and support market access for small to mid-sized farmers, including up to $420 million in American Rescue Plan funding through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. Through partnerships with states, this program will invest in supporting a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system through localized assistance. Together with the USDA Regional Food Business Centers, these programs play a vital role in connecting local and regional supply chains.
Through cooperative agreements with each U.S. state and territory, the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program will develop and administer initiatives that build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain. These funds will support expanded capacity for processes like aggregation, transportation, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food. RFSI provides similar support for a broad range of food products, like specialty crops, dairy, or grains. While meat and poultry products are not covered by this program, numerous other USDA programs like the Local Meat Capacity Grants and Indigenous Animals Meat Harvesting and Processing Grants (described later in this newsletter) provide funds to that sector. More information is available at www.usda.gov/meat.
Both the RFSI and Regional Food Business Centers will increase the knowledge and resource access of small to mid-sized farmers and underserved communities. These programs work in tandem to enhance the USDA’s Food System Transformation Framework by supporting a fair food system that fortifies and celebrates the agricultural supply chain, small businesses, family farmers, and rural communities.
In celebration of June being National Dairy Month, we are sharing some USDA programs that support U.S. dairy farmers and businesses.
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Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives - This AMS program supports dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of products. DBI initiatives provide technical assistance and grants that help diversify, promote, and encourage regional dairy production.
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Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) - Conducted through the Farm Service Agency, ODMAP provides financial assistance for certified organic dairy producers facing higher costs attributed to the pandemic and drought conditions across the country. The program gives a one-time cost-share payment based on marketing costs on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2022 calendar year.
AMS also hosts a range of resources devoted to dairy economic analysis and timely dairy market news. Check out more on the AMS Dairy Program page. The next time you find yourself shopping at a local market, be sure to thank your dairy farmers for all they do, and pick up some delicious cheese, yogurt, or milk to celebrate!
USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Nominations will be open to public from May 15 to July 15, 2023. The 12-member committee, which was assembled in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production. Members of the committee provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country. Visit this USDA webpage for more information on nominations and how to apply.
The People’s Garden Webinar Series – Learn About Pollinators
The People’s Garden free webinar series continues today, June 22, 2023, at 3:00PM EST with experts from Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. Learn about pollinators native to your community and how spaces can become more hospitable to pollinators. Guest speakers include Kass Urban-Mead and Stefanie Steele, Pollinator Conservation Specialists at Xerces Society. Visit The People‘s Garden website for more information and register today!
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Webinar on Organic Soil Health Practices for Water Management and Quality
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be hosting a webinar on June 26, 2023, at 1:00PM EST to discuss water management in organic agriculture, how soil health can enhance water use efficiency and nutrient retention, and outline conservation strategies that optimize the stewardship of water resources.
Register here.
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Current USDA Funding Available
June Deadlines
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
Community Agriculture Grants
Application Due Date: July 7, 2023
The purpose of these funds is to encourage and promote conservation planning and conservation practice demonstrations in urban, suburban, and other small-scale type agricultural operations. Emphasis will be placed on projects that establish new community gardens or enhance and expand existing community agriculture projects. For information on the grant opportunity visit the grants.gov listing.
Research Facilities Act Program
Application Due Date: July 7, 2023
The Research Facilities Act Program (RFAP) through the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying institutions for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities to conduct research in the fields of food and agricultural sciences. For more information and application details, visit the Research Facilities Act Program website.
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 program will fund projects which invest in Tribal Nations’ supply chain resiliency, indigenous animals, restoring local indigenous food systems, 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
USDA’s AMS is accepting applications for the 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.
Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
Application Due Date: July 24, 2023
Last month, USDA announced assistance for dairy producers with the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). Under this program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is making $104 million available to assist certified organic dairy producers facing a unique set of challenges in recent years, including higher costs attributed to the pandemic and drought conditions across the country. FSA is accepting applications from May 24 to July 24, 2023. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center.
August Deadlines
Organic Market Development Grant Program
Application Due Date: August 8, 2023
USDA’s 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.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Application Due Date: August 18, 2023
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) leverages a voluntary approach to expand the reach of conservation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships. In addition to the funding opportunity, NRCS has embarked on a concerted effort to streamline and simplify RCPP application and improve the experience for partners, producers, and employees. Learn more about the announcement and visit the NRCS webpage for information on how to apply.
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