Grants for Agricultural Organizations

 Federal Government Grants

USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grants – due 12/11 and 12/18/24 Up to $1,000,000 to support innovation and jobs in the forestry sector while supporting healthy forest landscapes. The agency is seeking proposals that will spark innovation, create new markets for sustainable wood products and renewable wood energy, and expand processing capacity. Eligible applicants include businesses, local government agencies, school districts, nonprofit organizations, institutes of higher education, and special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports).

Environmental Protection Agency Farmworker Training and Education Program for Pesticide Safety – due December 19th Up to $3.8 million to prevent pesticide illness in farmworker communities by training and education farmworkers on worker protection standards, agricultural pesticide safety, and related rights. There is a national grant track and a local or regional grant track. Only community-based farmworker nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply as the lead applicant.

USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – due 12/31/24 Up to $1,000,000 for renewable energy systems (solar) and other energy efficiency improvements. Applicant match (50%) required. Eligible applicants include Agriculture Producers or rural small businesses. For more information on this program, check out this blog post.

USDA Food & Nutrition Service Farm to School Grants – due 1/10/25 Turnkey grants up to $50,000 and Implementation grants up to $100,000 to improve access to local food by supporting Child Nutrition Program participants. Eligible applicants include agricultural producers, nonprofit organizations, schools, local agencies, and non-school based institutions including childcare centers and summer programs that operate a federal child nutrition program.

U.S. Olive Oil Data Collection for Codex from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service – due 1/13/25

Up to $2,200,000 to support U.S. olive oil producers by funding the data collection and testing costs necessary for U.S. olive oil producers to be responsive to the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO)’s request for data to update the Codex Olive Oil standard on quality parameters, pyropheophytin (PPP) and 1,2-diglycerides (DAGs). All entity types eligible.

USDA Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund – Inquiry form due 3/3/25 Up to $250,000 for Implementation grants that involve improving access to healthy food in underserved areas through food retail. Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, co-ops, nonprofits, colleges, state and local governments, commissions and food policy councils, and tribal governments. Projects must be located in an eligible underserved area.

California Grants

California Nutrition Inventive Program (CNIP) Expansion from the California Department of Food and Agriculture – due 12/16/24

Up to $750,000 to support Certified Farmers’ Markets and nonprofit organizations working with Certified Farmers’ Markets. This opportunity seeks to support farmers’ markets in distributing incentives to shoppers using their benefits to purchase California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized Certified Farmers’ Markets.

California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research & Education Program (FREP) – Pre-proposals due 12/16/24 Up to $75,000 per year for outreach, education and demonstration projects and up to $100,000 per year for research and demonstration projects. All projects must be related to the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizing materials. FREP serves growers, agricultural supply and service professionals, extension personnel, public agencies, consultants, and other interested parties.

University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Small Grants Program – due 1/14/25 Up to $10,000 for Planning projects and Education & Outreach projects, plus one $20,000 Applied Research Grant. Eligible projects include regenerative approaches, sustainable crop management, fair labor practices, support for locally based supply chains, expanding access to healthy foods, minimizing community and environmental costs of food production and distribution, and more. Eligible applicants include California-based farm or food system businesses, non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, Tribal governments, and public and private institutions of higher education.

California Department of Conservation Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program (SALC) – due 1/31/25 Up to $250,000 grants for Land Use Planning, Agricultural Conservation Acquisition, and Capacity and Project Development to support agricultural land conservation, economic growth, and sustainable development activities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, special districts, and government agencies.

Private Foundation Grants

BEAM Circular Multiple programs for businesses and entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and advancing environmental sustainability. Eligibility varies by program, with application deadlines beginning in mid-November 2024. See website for program details.

Farm Credit Services of America Working Here Fund – due 12/31/2025 Up to $5,000, $15,000, or $25,000 to support ag education, hunger and nutrition, or rural disaster relief/essential services. Only nonprofit organizations may apply.

Gaia Fund Sustainable Agriculture Grants – due 1/24/2025 Up to $50,000 for outreach and education encouraging the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. Only nonprofit organizations may apply.