The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) encourages specialty crop-related entities and farmers’ markets throughout the state to take advantage of federal funds aimed at supporting their efforts and organizations in 2012 and 2013.


Funding requests under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are available in the range of $2,000 - $50,000 for activities and practices affecting the specialty crop industry including:
• increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption
• improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
• helping entities establish good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices
• investing in research such as enhancing food safety, developing new and improved seed varieties & specialty crops, pest and disease control and sustainability
• market promotion of qualified Indiana food & agricultural products

Applications must be submitted via email to ISDA by June 1st, 2012. Commissions, public entities, associations, and/or nonprofit organizations that represent specialty crops as defined by USDA in Indiana agriculture are eligible to apply.

Funding requests under the Farmers’ Market Cost-Share Reimbursement Program are available for up to $500 per organization for advertising, displays and promotional materials used to increase consumer awareness and overall appeal of Indiana farmers’ markets and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Farmers’ Market Directors or Market Masters with an established Farmers’ Market listed on ISDA’s website are eligible to apply. Funds will be paid to qualifying entities on a first come-first served basis.

Applications for both programs can be found on the ISDA Web site under Grants and Funding Opportunities.

USDA-Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is offering a Farm to School program in order to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The USDA Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is charged with implementing the farm to school program. In this first funding cycle, FNS anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in eligible schools.

Grant funds will be made available on a competitive basis, subject to availability of Federal funds. Applicants are encouraged to first submit a Letter of Intent and then apply for either a Planning Grant or an Implementation Grant. Planning grants are expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000 and represent approximately 25 percent of the total awards. Implementation grants are expected to range from $65,000 - $100,000 and represent approximately 75 percent of the total awards. For both types of grants, the applicant must provide at least 25 percent of the costs of the grant project as the Federal share of costs for this grant cannot exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project, as required by the HHFKA.


Important Dates and Deadlines
April 17, 2012: Request for Applications Released
May 18, 2012: (Suggested) Letter of Intent Deadline
June 15, 2012: Proposals Due
(Pending the Availability of Federal Funds) Shortly after October 1, 2012: Awards Announced and Funds Available

Two webinars will be offered so that grant applicants can learn more about this grant opportunity.
May 15th, 1:00 EST Implementation grants
Thursday, May 17th, 1:00 EST Planning grants

Application packets as well as sample proposals can be found on FNS's website. 

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now offering three grants to support Indiana’s vital livestock industry: the Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant, Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant, and the brand new Youth Livestock Grant. The deadline for all livestock grants is May 1, 2012.


The Youth Livestock Grant is an opportunity for 4-H or FFA chapters to “pay it forward” to deserving students interested in the livestock sector for the purchase of breeding stock to start a livestock enterprise or add animals to an existing operation.

The Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals designed to promote the livestock industry in Indiana through shows, sales, exhibitions, conventions, or similar events and programs.

The Indiana Livestock Marketing Development Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals for value added feasibility studies, research projects, market development, or other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.

Eligibility:

Not-for-Profit organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible for all three grants. All livestock grants are 50:50 matching funds grants.

Youth Livestock Grant: Not-for-profits with a 501©3 status should solicit applications from Indiana 4-H/FFA youth. Youth applicants are reviewed by the non-for-profit and select applicants they wish to request funds for. The Not-for-profit will submit the Youth Livestock application via email to ISDA.

Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant: Not-for-profits organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible to apply for this grant. The Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant entities must work to promote the livestock industry in Indiana.

Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant: Not-for-profits organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible to apply for funds that will work to develop or expand business or industry related to the livestock production, processing, and distribution. The Not-for-profit will submit the Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant to be eligible for these funds.

Applications can be found on ISDA's website and the deadline for all grants is May 1, 2012.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Winners will be announced by May 15th, 2012