Learn more about these open grant opportunities:

1. USDA Value-Added Producer Grant - due April 17, 2025
2. USDA REAP Grant - next cycle due March 31, 2025
3. California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to Community Food Hubs Program - due April 14, 2025

As we head into spring, exciting grant opportunities are now open for agriculture and related projects. Whether you’re looking to expand operations, develop new products, or strengthen local food systems, now is the time to apply!

We’ve compiled a list of current grant opportunities from federal, state, and private funders. If you see a grant that aligns with your goals, reach out to Wooten Grants Consulting—we can help you develop a strong, competitive application to maximize your chances of securing funding.

CDFA Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant

• Purpose: Supports the development of community food hubs to strengthen local food systems, increase sales for small-scale farmers, and expand access to local, sustainable food.
• Who Can Apply: Nonprofits, school districts, Tribal schools/colleges, food businesses, cooperatives, B Corporations, universities, and California Native American Tribes.
• Grant Tracks & Funding: Track 1 (Planning): $50,000 – $250,000 (24-month term) Track 2 (Infrastructure & Operations): $350,000 – $2,000,000 (60-month term)
• Deadline: April 14, 2025

CDFA California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) Climate Extremes Relief Funding

• Purpose: The CUSP Program provides direct grant funding for farmers impacted by extreme weather events. This program offers reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 to support small and medium-scale agricultural producers in California who have experienced wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, pest quarantines, and other climate-related disasters.
• Who Can Apply: Must be actively farming in California; Preference for family farmers involved in daily operations and deriving income from their farm business; Must have annual gross sales below: $400,000 for produce farmers $1,000,000 for dairy operations; Farmers can receive up to $20,000 in CUSP funding within a 12-month period
• Eligible Uses: Reimbursement for increased costs, new expenses, or revenue losses due to climate-related disasters; Relief for damages caused by wildfire, extreme heat, flooding, and pest quarantines.
• Funding is distributed based on the strength of supporting documentation demonstrating losses
• Deadline: April 1, 2025

USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)

• Purpose: Supports agricultural producers in developing and marketing value-added products to increase revenue and expand market opportunities.
• Who Can Apply: Agricultural producers, producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and producer-owned businesses.
• Eligible Uses: Business planning, feasibility studies, marketing, and working capital for post-harvest processing and sales.
• Grant Amounts: Planning Grants: Up to $75,000 ; Working Capital Grants: Up to $250,000 (1:1 match required)
• Deadline: April 17, 2025

USDA Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) – Food Access & Retail Expansion

• Purpose: Expands access to healthy food in underserved areas by supporting grocery stores, markets, and retailers selling staple and perishable foods.
• Who Can Apply: Businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and higher education institutions.
• Eligible Uses: Retail infrastructure, food distribution, equipment, and operations.
• Deadlines: May 1, August 4, October 2, 2025

USDA Community Connect Grant

• Purpose: Provides funding to expand broadband access in rural, underserved communities.
• Who Can Apply: Tribal governments, local governments, nonprofits, cooperatives, ISPs, and for-profit businesses.
• Eligible Uses: Broadband infrastructure, community anchor institutions, operational costs, and network equipment.
• Deadline: April 21, 2025

USDA Emerging Markets Program

Purpose: Supports U.S. entities in developing, maintaining, and expanding export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

Who Can Apply: Universities, trade associations, state agriculture departments, federal agencies, for-profits, and consulting businesses.

Eligible Uses: Market research, trade promotion, capacity-building, and outreach activities.

Deadline: June 30, 2025

Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation (FSI) Grants

• Purpose: Funds environmental restoration, conservation, and food system innovation projects, particularly those that link rural and urban communities.
• Who Can Apply: Nonprofit organizations.
• Eligible Uses: Demonstration projects, sustainable agriculture, wildlife preservation, alternative presses/publications.
• Deadlines: April 15, October 15, 2025

California Fertilizer Foundation (CFF) School Garden Grants

• Purpose: Supports California schools in establishing or maintaining school gardens to enhance agricultural education and plant nutrition awareness.
• Who Can Apply: Public and private K-12 schools in California.
• Eligible Uses: Funds may be used for garden supplies, educational materials, infrastructure improvements, and maintenance.
• Grant Amount: $1,200 per school (awards given to 24 schools annually).
• Deadline: March 30 & June 30, 2025 (applications accepted year-round).

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) Grant Program

• Purpose: Provides urgent funding to support research and outreach in response to emerging threats to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems.
• Who Can Apply: Public & private universities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations.
• Eligible Uses: Short-term projects focused on diagnostics, monitoring protocols, response coordination, and prevention/mitigation strategies for pest or pathogen threats.
• Grant Amount: Up to $150,000 (requires 1:1 matching funds from non-federal sources).
• Application Process: Submit a one-page concept note for review; selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal within 8 weeks.
• Deadline: Rolling basis (year-round applications accepted).

Clif Family Foundation Open Call Grant

• Purpose: Provides general operating or project-specific funding for organizations driving food system, climate, and community change.
• Who Can Apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofits or organizations with fiscal sponsorship.
• Eligible Uses: Supports projects related to: Regenerative & Organic Farming ; Food Production Worker Health & Safety ; Climate Justice ; Healthy Food Access ; Inclusive Outdoor Access ; Pollution Prevention
• Grant Amount: $5,000 – $50,000 for one-year projects.
• Deadline: March 1 & August 1, 2025

Applying for grants is competitive and complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Wooten Grants Consulting specializes in federal and state grant applications for agriculture businesses, nonprofits, and schools. With nearly a decade of experience and over $10 million secured in grant funding, we can help you:

✅ Identify the best grant opportunities for your organization

✅ Develop strong, competitive grant application s

✅ Ensure compliance with grant guidelines

✅ Submit a high-quality, polished proposal

Don’t miss out on funding for your business or organization. If you’re interested in applying for any of these grants, let’s connect!

📩 Contact Alicia Wooten at alicia@wootengrants.com to discuss your project and how we can help.

Let’s secure the funding you need to grow your agricultural business and strengthen local food systems.