Agriculture Secretary Vilsack , as National Farmers Market Week to recognize and champion the efforts of direct-to-consumer markets, small to mid-sized producers, and the customers and communities that choose local. USDA has been highlighting grant stories, toolkits, resources, and more to celebrate alongside over 8,000 farmers markets across the U.S.
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Check out this blog post on about AMS tools, databases, and lessons learned of local and regional food systems. |
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Shop local at the USDA Farmers Market on Friday, August 11, from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and support vendors from around the DC area. |
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Find your closest local producers, markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) opportunities, and agritourism spots using the Local Food Directories. |
And don’t forget to follow @USDA_AMS on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all things happening this week and beyond. Get ready to shop local!
Shared kitchens, a newly emerging sector in the food supply chain, enable diverse local food businesses to produce, store, and sell products through a wide range of channels.
 In 2021, Colorado State University and the Food Corridor, funded through a cooperative agreement with AMS, conducted a survey of food business owners operating out of shared kitchens to learn more. Three infographics were created from the findings:
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Overview (pdf);
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Motivations, Challenges, and Opportunities (pdf);
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Things to Consider When Deciding to Use a Shared Kitchen (pdf).
This research shows how farmers markets continue to be a primary sales channel for small businesses operating out of shared kitchens.
 USDA is investing $7.4 million in 25 selected grants that support urban agriculture and innovative production. Selected grant recipients, including community gardens and nonprofit farms, will increase food production and access in economically distressed communities, provide job training and education, and allow partners to develop business plans and zoning proposals. This year, USDA received more than 300 applications, which is twice last year’s application numbers.
Check out the 2023 list of awarded grant organizations and visit the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants webpage for further information on this program.
Each month, we highlight the work of Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion grant recipients.
 Jonesborough Locally Grown started its first farmer’s market in 2008 and became a non-profit organization in 2013, expanding to two producer-only markets in the area. Over the years, JLG has worked to support over 200 farmers through marketing trainings for new and beginning farmers, community events like their annual Farm to Table Dinner, and more. To help increase foot traffic and sales through more events and marketing, JLG applied for and received a 2018 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant for $174,441. Read more about JLG’s strategies in their new Seeds of Success feature.
 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) based in Virginia, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation, health, and wellness efforts. NRPA wanted to explore other ways of promoting healthy food access in parks and recreation areas and in 2018, they applied for and received a Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant for $250,000 to work directly with two communities, Tunica County Parks & Recreation in Mississippi and Arkansas City Parks & Recreation in Kansas. Read more about their unique ways of utilizing parks and recreation spaces for food systems work in their new Seeds of Success feature.
Current USDA Funding Available
August Deadlines
Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)
Application Due Date: August 15, 2023
The purpose of the REAP TAG Program is to enable applicants to provide technical assistance to Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority for applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities and for applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies or seeking grants under $20,000. For more information on this opportunity, visit their listing on grants.gov or Rural Development’s REAP TAG Program page.
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.
September Deadlines
Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program
Application Due Date: September 15, 2023
The Sheep Production & Marketing Grant Program seeks to develop solutions for practical problems on a national basis and address the needs of the entire sheep industry, while focusing on the measurable benefits for sheep producers, encouraging partnerships among other sheep industry organizations, and reducing duplication of effort among participating organizations. For more information, view the recent press release or visit the SPMGP webpage.
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