USDA Local and Regional Food Systems 

Resource Guide

USDA resources to support local and regional food systems 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide B

CONTENTS

Introduction............................................................................................... 1

What Are Local and Regional Foods?...................................................... 2

What Are Local and Regional Food Systems?......................................... 3

Why Local and Regional Food Systems?................................................. 4

What USDA Support is Available to Connect to Resources? ................... 5

What is the Purpose of the USDA 

Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide?.............................. 6

How Do I Use the USDA Local and Regional Food Systems 

Resource Guide?...................................................................................... 7

Let’s Get Started: Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide... 8

LRFS Resource Guide Key Focus Areas ................................................. 8

USDA Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide*.................... 9

Investment Focus: LAND CONSERVATION ................................ 13

Investment Focus: PRODUCTION................................................ 17

Investment Focus: PROCESSING................................................ 24

Investment Focus: DISTRIBUTION .............................................. 33

Investment Focus: MARKETS — CONSUMERS......................... 40

Investment Focus: FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION 

AND RECOVERY ......................................................................... 49

Investment Focus: RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS .................................. 53

About USDA........................................................................................... 64

Endnotes ................................................................................................ 67
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 1

INTRODUCTION

Local and Regional Foods are a small but vitally important part of agriculture sales in the United States (U.S.). According to the 2020 Local Food 

Marketing Practices Survey, the value of food sold through direct marketing practices, a marketing channel with only one or two steps between the 

producer and the consumer, was 9 billion dollars.1 This figure reflects sales from more than 147,000 U.S. farms.2 Given their direct relationship with 

their customers, local food farms were among the first to pivot in the pandemic. Local producers helped fill product shortages and address food 

insecurity, and an increasing number of consumers added local food outlets to their shopping routines.3,4

At USDA, we recognize that the food systems of the future need to be fair, competitive, distributed, and resilient. This vision requires federal, tribal, 

state, territorial, and local resources all contributing to this goal. Funding resources and programs span the Department’s 29 agencies and offices. 

Many of these programs can be “stacked” or sequenced to support local and regional farms and food businesses and their communities. The U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide (LRFS Resource Guide) is intended to help stakeholders 

navigate USDA resources to strengthen local and regional food systems. Stakeholders can use these resources to partner with USDA to address 

climate change, create more and better market opportunities, support food and nutrition security, and advance racial justice, equity, opportunity and 

rural prosperity. 

We hope you take advantage of the LRFS Resource Guide to continue fostering, expanding, and strengthening local and regional food systems 

across the nation!
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 2

WHAT ARE LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOODS?

In broad terms, “local and regional foods” are foods produced and sold within a certain distance or geographic boundary to consumers. At USDA, 

there is no singular definition of local and regional foods. The USDA uses various definitions of local and regional foods that adhere to this general 

description. For example, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) often uses a definition for local and regional foods where the distance 

between product origin and point of sale is at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the product origin are within the same State, US territory, 

or Tribal land.5 This definition offers a shared understanding of the term with reasonable boundaries that ensure the products have some impact 

on the local or regional economy. Grant or award recipients often choose a final local and regional food definition for their project within those 

parameters. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) defers to School Food Authorities (SFAs), or the entity responsible for administering the 

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program within a school district, to define local foods.6 This flexibility allows communities to 

define local and regional foods based on their unique needs. 

Outside USDA, communities often define local and regional foods definitions by distance, geography, and direct-to-consumer marketing, but the 

concept can also champion specific ideas or values. Many definitions go beyond miles, supporting positive social, environmental, and economic 

outcomes. Some communities emphasize production and conservation practices (e.g., USDA Organic, Climate-Smart Agriculture), harvest 

techniques, farm size, crop diversity, labor practices, ownership (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, small business, 

or cooperative-owned), nutrition, and affordability. Other communities may determine definitions and sourcing goals based on product availability, 

budget, and the values the purchaser desires to advance with their food dollars.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 

3

WHAT ARE LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS?

“Food Systems” are complex networks that include all the steps from production to consumption, 

along with food loss and waste reduction and recovery.

7

 Local and regional food systems refer to 

food systems where production, aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, consumption, and 

food recovery and recycling happen in the locality or region where the final product is marketed to 

consumers. The idea is that consumers receive information at the point of purchase about a food’s 

origin and that the community benefits from the system and its product.

8

Farms, food businesses, and markets in local and regional food systems often span urban, 

peri-urban (where urban transitions to rural), suburban, and rural communities. Approximately 

78 percent of local food farms sell all their local food products within 100 miles of their farm.

9

Metropolitan communities, with their larger concentrated populations, often serve as an important 

outlet for rural producers. More than half of local food farms are in metropolitan counties, where 

rural farm communities frequently reside near city borders.10 With the rise of urban agriculture in 

the U.S., cities are home to community and school gardens and commercial production too. 

Local and regional food markets often overlap with direct-to-consumer markets, where producers 

sell experiences, such as farm tours, or products directly to consumers through farmers’ markets, 

roadside stands, agritourism destinations, or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. 

These markets often overlap but only sometimes. For example, Alaskan fishers may sell products 

directly to consumers in the Midwest or East Coast through purchasing cooperatives or by mail. 

Local and regional food and direct-to-consumer markets offer producers an opportunity to receive 

a larger share of profits while increasing the quality of food available to consumers.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 4

WHY LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS?

As a result of the COVID-19 public health pandemic and recent supply chain disruptions, many Americans gained a better understanding of the 

importance of local and regional food systems. Local producers and food businesses quickly pivoted to meet nearly overnight shifts in markets.11

Local and regional food markets offered an important safety net to both producers and consumers.12 The need for a fairer and more equitable, 

competitive, and resilient food system also became clear. Similarly, the pandemic highlighted the importance of tribal efforts to restore traditional 

foodways and support food system infrastructure. This movement by tribal communities to reclaim their food systems through advancing tribal 

regulatory frameworks and grassroots community projects is often referred to as ‘food sovereignty.’

For years, producers have recognized the importance of direct-to-consumer markets. Farm stands, farmers’ markets, food hubs, and other local 

and regional food markets are often more accessible to farmers, with fewer barriers to entry, than mainstream markets. For many new, small, 

and underserved producers and food businesses, the accessibility and flexibility of local and regional markets provide a critical first outlet and an 

opportunity to grow their businesses over time. Local and regional food sales also promise producers a greater share of the food dollar, a measure 

of the annual expenditure that is spent domestically for the food people eat, which has markedly decreased in mainstream market channels over 

the past 50 years.13,14 By shoring more of the food supply chain in local and regional food systems, producers retain more of the profit and dollars 

attributed to food turn over more within a community before being spent elsewhere. 

Local and regional foods also build community engagement around food, farming, sustainability, and nutrition. More than half of the nation’s schools 

serve local foods or educate students about where their lunches are sourced.15 Districts participating in farm to school report increased food quality, 

better student knowledge about local and healthful foods, and higher consumption of school meals.16 During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 

a third of U.S. consumers tried a new market channel targeted by local food farms, such as farmers’ markets or food cooperatives. Many have 

continued to shop these markets.17 Local and regional food systems serve as community economic engines and help create a more resilient food 

system better able to withstand supply shocks. Local and regional foods also boost community interest and support for food and agriculture, an 

invaluable resource that promotes thriving farms and food businesses.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 5

What USDA Support is Available to Connect to Resources?

USDA recently launched two new programs to support the development of more resilient communities and food systems across the nation: the 

Regional Food Business Centers and Rural Partners Network. 

Regional Food Business Centers

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will administer the Regional Food 

Business Centers (Regional Business Centers) in cooperation with 12 lead organizations 

throughout the U.S. The Regional Business Centers will provide national coverage 

coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help small and mid-sized 

farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate 

federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps or barriers to success. By 

strengthening connections and the capacity of small and medium-sized producers and 

food businesses, the Regional Business Centers will lead to more resilient, diverse, and 

connected supply chains and serve as the cornerstone of USDA’s local and regional supply 

chain development. The 12 Regional Business Centers will target their work to historically 

underinvested communities in their region.

Rural Partners Network

The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an alliance of federal agencies and civic 

partners working to expand rural prosperity through job creation, infrastructure 

development, and community improvement. The RPN is led by USDA Rural 

Development in collaboration with 24 federal agencies and regional commissions 

through the Rural Prosperity Interagency Policy, co-led by the White House 

Domestic Policy Council and USDA. The RPN expands interagency collaboration 

and provides targeted staffing and resources that improve equitable access 

to federal programs and funding and help drive local community economic 

development in rural communities. One of the resources available and still 

growing is the website Rural.gov; rural communities are encouraged to bookmark 

the site and sign up for the newsletter to stay informed. Additionally, RPN has 

dedicated federal staff that now work with up to 36 rural community networks in 

multiple U.S. states, Tribal Nations, and territories as part of the RPN.

These programs can help individuals, organizations, and local, Tribal, and State governments connect to community partners, connect to technical 

assistance, and to available resources. 

The USDA Local and Regional Food Systems (LRFS) Resource Guide complements the efforts of the individuals and organizations associated with 

these programs. The LRFS Resource Guide helps staff and partners more easily familiarize themselves with USDA programs that most often serve 

local and regional food systems stakeholders and to link farms and businesses to these services. The LRFS Resource Guide identifies resources 

provided across USDA strengthening local and regional food markets and economies.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 6

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE USDA LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD 

SYSTEMS RESOURCE GUIDE?

Approached holistically, local and regional food systems attract investments, build wealth, and promote sustainability. USDA wants to see 

communities leverage these benefits. Planning for the development of local and regional food systems is a critical first step. A wide range of USDA 

resources are available to help, but it can be daunting to know where to begin. 

Together, USDA AMS and USDA Rural Development (RD) have partnered with other USDA Agencies and offices to offer the USDA Local and 

Regional Food Systems Resource Guide (LRFS Resource Guide), a tool to help navigate USDA resources and services in support of local and 

regional food systems. You can use the LRFS Resource Guide to identify financial resources that can be “stacked” or sequenced to support an 

individual project, business, or broader community plan. The LRFS Resource Guide can also serve as a tool to identify collaborative opportunities 

with partners and programs.

Unlike previous guides, the LRFS Resource Guide highlights permanent funding, alongside one-time programming funded as part of the USDA

Food Systems Transformation initiative, the USDA’s more than $4 billion commitment to developing a fair, competitive, distributed, and resilient food 

system. The intent is to increase USDA staff and stakeholders’ awareness of and access to permanently available programs supporting local and 

regional food systems and one-time programing, helping communities actively develop and fulfill their plans and visions for their local and regional 

food systems. In some cases, the LRFS Resource Guide includes one-time programs already awarded to acknowledge investments that are in the 

process of being made throughout the country, promote connections and linkages, and support communities in leveraging and building off existing 

projects.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 7

HOW DO I USE THE USDA LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS 

RESOURCE GUIDE?

The USDA Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide (LRFS Resource Guide) makes high-level information available on USDA 

programs in the local and regional food supply chain. The LRFS Resource Guide organizes programs and services by steps in the supply chain: 

land conservation, production, processing, aggregation-distribution, markets-consumers, and food loss and waste reduction and recycling. It 

also includes a section on research, education, and technical assistance programming. Brief, easy-to-read summaries are provided for each 

program. The summaries offer information on program purpose, eligibility, on-going application (i.e., permanent program) or one-time or multi-cycle 

application period (i.e., non-permanent program), cost share or match, and other frequently sought details. The “Common Allowances” column lets 

you know if a program may support activities commonly asked about by stakeholders, including workforce training or technical assistance, value 

chain coordination, equipment, or infrastructure. The LRFS Resource Guide also provides program websites for those who want to learn more about 

a specific program. Some pass-through or subaward programs may be listed as closed for applications to USDA, where funding may still be offered 

through third-party subaward programs
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 8

LET’S GET STARTED: 

LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS RESOURCE GUIDE

Use the LRFS Resource Guide as a starting point to identify USDA resources available to support your farm, food business, or community. We 

stand ready to be your collaborative partner in Local and Regional Foods Systems.

LRFS Resource Guide Key Focus Areas

● Land Conservation

● Production

● Processing

● Aggregation/Distribution

● Markets/Consumers

● Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Recovery

● Research, Education, and Technicaly Assistance Programs
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 9

USDA Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide*

(Pages 13-63 contain tables organized by focus area with descriptions and URLs for each program listed in the table below.)

Focus Area Programs

Land Conservation • Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (NRCS)

• Agricultural Management Assistance Program (NRCS)

• Conservation Innovation Grants (NRCS)

• Conservation Stewardship Program (NRCS)

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (NRCS)

• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (NRCS)

• Solid Waste Management Grants (RD)

• Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (NRCS)

Production • Beginning Farmer Down Payment Program (FSA)

• Conservation Innovation Grants (NRCS)

• Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (NRCS)

• Farm Loans (FSA)

• Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSA)

• Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crop Program (FSA)

• Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program (FSA) 

• Micro Farm Program (RMA)

• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance and Other Disaster Assistance Programs (FSA)

• Organic Certification Cost Share Program (FSA)

• Rural Energy for America Program (RD)

• Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance Program (RMA)

• Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (RMA)

• Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (NRCS)

• Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program (OUAIP)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 10

Focus Area Programs

Processing • Agricultural Innovation Center (RD)

• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Meat and Poultry Processing – Agriculture Workforce Training Program (NIFA)

• Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans (RD)

• Community Facilities Loans and Grants (RD)

• Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (AMS) 

• Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (AMS)

• Food Supply Chain Loan Guaranteed Program (RD)

• Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (RD & AMS)

• Local Meat Capacity Grants (AMS)

• Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (RD)

• Meat and Poultry Processing Intermediary Lending Program – Round 2 (RD)

• National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant (FNS)

• Organic Market Development Grants (AMS)

• Regional Food System Partnerships (AMS)

• Rural Business Development Grants (RD)

• Rural Energy for America Program (RD)

• Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program (OUAIP)

• Value Added Producer Grants (RD)

Aggregation/Distribution • Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans (RD)

• Community Facilities Loans and Grants (RD)

• Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSA)

• Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (AMS)

• Food Supply Chain Loan Guaranteed Program (RD)

• Local Food Promotion Program (AMS)

• Organic Market Development Grants (AMS)

• Regional Food System Partnerships (AMS)

• Rural Business Development Grants (RD)

• Rural Energy for America Program (RD)

• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (AMS)

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants – Round 2 Funding (FNS)

• Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program (OUAIP)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 11

Focus Area Programs

Markets/Consumers • Community Food Projects Competitive Grants (NIFA)

• Development and Implementation of Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards and Sub-Grants for School Food 

Authorities Cooperative Agreement (FNS)

• Development and Implementation of Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System Transformation Challenge SubAgreement Cooperative Agreement (FNS)

• Farmers Market Promotion Program (AMS)

• Farm to School Grant Program (FNS)

• Farm to School State Agency Formula Grants (FNS)

• Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program (NIFA)

• Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (NIFA)

• Healthy Food Financing Initiative (RD)

• Organic Market Development Grants (AMS)

• Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (NRCS) 

• Regional Food System Partnerships (AMS)

• Rural Business Development Grants (RD)

• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FNS)

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FNS)

• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (AMS)

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) (FNS)

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Healthy Incentives Pilot (FNS)

• Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program (OUAIP)

Food Loss and Waste 

Reduction and Recycling

• Community Food Projects Competitive Grants (NIFA)

• Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements (OUAIP)

• Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSA)

• Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program (NIFA)

• Rural Business Development Grants (RD)

• Rural Energy for America Program (RD)

• Solid Waste Management Grants (RD)

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Farm to Food Bank Program (FNS)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 12

Focus Area Programs

Research, Education, 

and Technical Assistance 

Programs

• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (NIFA)

• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators (FSA)

• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (NIFA)

• Conservation Technical Assistance (NRCS)

• Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (AMS) 

• Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (NIFA)

• Equity in Conservation Agreements (NRCS)

• Extension Risk Management Education Program (NIFA) 

• Farm to School State Agency Formula Grants (FNS)

• Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (AMS) 

• Food Safety Outreach Program (NIFA) 

• Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity - Technical Assistance (AMS)

• Organic Agricultural Research and Extension Initiative (NIFA) 

• Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (OPPE)

• Regional Food Business Centers (AMS)

• Rural Business Development Grants (RD)

• Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RD)

• Rural Partners Network

• Small Business Innovation Research (NIFA)

• Socially Disadvantaged Group Grant (RD) 

• Soil Carbon Monitoring Training and Outreach Agreements (NRCS)

• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (AMS) 

• Specialty Crop Research Initiative (NIFA) 

• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NIFA) 

• Transition to Organic Partnership Program (AMS)

*Note that programs listed are not all-inclusive, please contact your local USDA Offices to see if there are other programs (including PILOTS) that may provide additional assistance.

Additional program information is available at USDA: Agencies | USDA and https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/agencies. 

For information on the USDA’s Food Systems Transformation Framework programming, visit https://www.usda.gov/build-back-better.

For information on other USDA AMS local and regional food systems funding, research, and technical assistance, please visit https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional. 

For information on other USDA RD programs and funding opportunities, including our Pandemic Resources, please visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/. For USDA rural area eligibility 

criteria please use Rural Development’s Eligibility Tool (available at this link:https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov) to help determine if your project is in an eligible rural area and you are 

otherwise eligible to apply.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 13

Investment Focus: LAND CONSERVATION

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Agricultural 

Conservation 

Easement 

Program 

(NRCS)

The agricultural Conservation Easement Program 

(ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related 

conservation values of eligible land by limiting 

nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural 

uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and 

related conservation values by restoring or conserving 

eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and 

enhancing wetlands on eligible land. ACEP has two 

components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and 

Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE).

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• State and local 

governments 

• Nongovernmental 

organizations that have 

farmland or grassland 

protection programs 

• Owners of privately held 

land and beneficiaries of 

Indian trust land

• Technical and Financial 

Assistance – On-going 

Application Period

• Up to 75% of the fair 

market value of a land 

easement for ALE

• Up to 100% for WRE 

• Cash share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

Agricultural 

Management 

Assistance 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program 

helps agricultural producers manage financial risk 

through diversification, marketing or natural resource 

conservation practices. States align natural resource 

priorities with producers need for a particular may 

construct or improve water management structures 

or irrigation structures; plant trees for windbreaks or 

to improve water quality; and mitigate risk through 

production diversification or resource conservation 

practices, including soil erosion control, seasonal 

extension – high tunnel or transition to organic farming. 

Contracts are for one to 10 years after completion of the 

last practice. 

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/ama/

• Producers

AMA is available to 

producers in the 16 states 

where participation in the 

Federal Crop Insurance 

Program is historically low: 

Connecticut, Delaware, 

Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Nevada, 

New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, Utah, Vermont, West 

Virginia, and Wyoming.

• Technical and Financial 

Assistance – On-going 

Application Period

• Up to $50,000 per fiscal 

year

• Cash share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

(limited) 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 14

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Conservation 

Innovation 

Grants (NRCS)

The Conservation Innovation Grant is a competitive 

program that supports the development of new tools, 

approaches, practices, and technologies to further 

natural resource conservation on private lands. Through 

creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners 

work to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil 

health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving 

agricultural operations.

More information available at: https://cig.sc.egov.usda.

gov/

EQIP-eligible Producers, 

which includes the following:

• Individuals

• Legal entities

• Joint operations,

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• All entities must have 

control of the land. Eligible 

land includes cropland, 

rangeland, pastureland, 

non-industrial private 

forestland, and other farm 

or ranch lands.

• Grant – Annual/Recurring 

Application Period 

• Awards vary. 

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

Conservation 

Stewardship 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offers 

technical and financial assistance to help agricultural 

and forest producers take their conservation efforts to 

the next level. The program is designed to compensate 

agricultural and forest producers who agree to increase 

their level of conservation by adopting additional 

conservation activities and maintaining their baseline 

level of conservation. 

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.

gov/programs-initiatives/csp-conservation-stewardshipprogram

• Individuals, legal entities, 

joint operations or Indian 

Tribes that own or rent 

and currently manage land 

for agricultural or forest 

production.

• Cooperative Agreement 

– On-going Application 

Period

• $1,500 minimum 

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance

Environmental 

Quality 

Incentives 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 

offers technical and financial assistance for working 

lands, including field crops, specialty crops, organic, 

confined livestock and grazing, and non-industrial private 

forest land. NRCS and producers work together through 

five to 10-year contracts to address natural resource 

concerns and deliver environmental benefits. EQIP is a 

competitively awarded based on resource concerns to 

be addressed and other factors. There is no minimum 

acreage requirement. 

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives

• Individuals

• Legal entities

• Joint operations,

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

All entities must have 

control of the land. Eligible 

land includes cropland, 

rangeland, pastureland, 

non-industrial private 

forestland, and other farm 

or ranch lands.

• Technical and Financial 

Assistance – On-going 

Application Period

• Awards vary.

• Cost share required.

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 15

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Regional 

Conservation 

Partnership 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) 

promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities 

with partners that offer value-added contributions to 

expand collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, 

and regional natural resource concerns. RCPP projects 

fall under two different categories: RCPP Classic and 

RCPP Grants. RCPP Classic projects are implemented 

using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, 

landowners, and communities, in collaboration with 

project partners. 

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.

gov/programs-initiatives/rcpp-regional-conservationpartnership-program

• Agricultural or silvicultural 

producer associations or 

other groups of producers 

• Farmer cooperatives

• States 

• Local governments

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Water districts, irrigation 

districts, acequia, 

rural water districts or 

association, or other 

organization with specific 

water delivery authority to 

producers on agricultural 

land

• Municipal water or 

wastewater treatment 

entity

• Organization or entity with 

an established history of 

working cooperatively with 

producers on agricultural 

land as determined by the 

Secretary to address local 

conservation priorities and 

critical watershed-scale 

soil erosion, water quality, 

or other natural resource 

concerns

• Other eligible entities as 

identified by NRCS

• Contribution Agreement.

• Awards vary. 

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 16

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Solid Waste 

Management 

Grants (RD)

This program reduces or eliminates pollution of 

water resources by providing 12-month funding for 

organizations that provide technical assistance or training 

to improve the planning and management of solid waste 

sites.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/water-environmental-programs/solidwaste-management-grants

• Public bodies

• Nonprofit organizations

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Academic Institutions

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period/Recurring Funding 

Opportunity

• $400,000 to $1,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

Wetland 

Mitigation 

Banking 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP) 

is a competitive grants program that supports the 

development and establishment of wetland mitigation 

banks to make credits available for agricultural producers 

who cannot mitigate impacts on-site.

More information available: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

wetland-mitigation-banking-program

• City or township 

governments

• County governments

• State-recognized Tribes

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• American Indian/Alaska 

Native tribal organizations 

(other than Indian Tribes 

(Federally recognized))

• Nonprofit organizations

• For-profit organizations

• Private and public 

institutions of higher 

education 

• Small business

• Special district government

• State government

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Ongoing/recurring 

program

• $400,000 to $1,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 17

Investment Focus: PRODUCTION

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Beginning 

Farmer Down 

Payment 

Program (FSA)

This program helps beginning and socially disadvantaged 

farmers and ranchers purchase a family farm or ranch 

by providing joint financing with a commercial lender. 

This program allows FSA to provide more farmers and 

ranchers access to capital and can be a financing tool to 

help transition farms between generations.

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/beginningfarmers-and-ranchers-loans

• Beginning farmers, 

minority, and women 

applicants or an individual 

or entity who:

□ Has not operated a 

farm for more than 10 

years

□ Substantially 

participates in the 

operation

□ For farm ownership 

loans, the applicant 

cannot own a farm 

greater than 30 

percent of the average 

size farm in the 

country, at the time of 

application

• Loan – On-going 

Application Period

• Loan amount limited to 45 

percent of the least of: 

□ Purchase price of the 

farm

□ Appraised value of the 

farm, or 

□ $667,000 ($300,150 

maximum). 

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Purchase of 

a family farm

Conservation 

Innovation 

Grants (NRCS)

The Conservation Innovation Grant is a competitive 

program that supports the development of new tools, 

approaches, practices, and technologies to further 

natural resource conservation on private lands. Through 

creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners 

work to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil 

health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving 

agricultural operations.

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig/

EQIP-eligible Producers, 

which includes the following:

• Individuals

• Legal entities

• Joint operations,

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• All entities must have 

control of the land. Eligible 

land includes cropland, 

rangeland, pastureland, 

non-industrial private 

forestland, and other farm 

or ranch lands.

• Grant – Annual/recurring 

Application Period 

• Awards vary. 

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 18

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Environmental 

Quality 

Incentives 

Program 

(NRCS)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 

offers technical and financial assistance for working 

lands, including field crops, specialty crops, organic, 

confined livestock and grazing, and non-industrial private 

forest land. NRCS and producers work together through 

five to 10-year contracts to address natural resource 

concerns and deliver environmental benefits. There is no 

minimum acreage requirement. 

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/

• Individuals

• Legal entities

• Joint operations,

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• All entities must have 

control of the land. Eligible 

land includes cropland, 

rangeland, pastureland, 

non-industrial private 

forestland, and other farm 

or ranch lands.

• Technical and Financial 

Assistance – On-going 

Enrollment/Application 

Period

• Awards vary.

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

Farm Loans 

(FSA)

Farm Ownership loans help you purchase or enlarge a 

farm or ranch, construct a new or improve an existing 

farm or ranch building, pay closing costs, and pay for soil 

and water conservation and protection. Operating loans 

help you purchase livestock and equipment and pay for 

minor real estate repairs and annual operating expenses. 

Microloans are direct farm ownership and operating 

loans with a shortened streamlined application process 

and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs 

of smaller, non-traditional, and niche-type operations. 

Emergency loans help you if you suffered a qualifying 

loss caused by natural disasters that damaged your farm 

or ranch.

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/index

• Landowner 

• Landlord 

• Leaseholder

• Tenant 

• Sharecropper

Eligible borrowers must be 

able to show repayment 

ability and meet other 

requirements to qualify for 

a loan.

• Loan – On-going 

Enrollment/Application 

Period 

• Up to $500,000

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 19

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Farm Storage 

Facility Loans 

(FSA)

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides 

low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade 

facilities to store commodities. 

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/price-support/facility-loans/farmstorage/

• Landowner

• Landlord

• Leaseholder

• Tenant 

• Sharecropper. 

Eligible borrowers must be 

able to show repayment 

ability and meet other 

requirements to qualify for 

a loan.

• Loan – On-going 

Enrollment/Application 

Period

• Up to $500,000

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Food Safety 

Certification for 

Specialty Crop 

Program (FSA)

The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crop (FSCSC) 

Program provides financial assistance for specialty crop 

operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program 

expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety 

certification in calendar years in 2022 or 2023. This 

program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory 

requirements and market-driven food safety certification 

requirements.

More information available at: https://www.farmers.gov/

pandemic-assistance/food-safety

• Specialty crop operation

• Small business or very 

small business

Operations and businesses 

must have obtained or 

renewed a 2023 food 

safety certification issued 

during the 2023 calendar 

year and paid eligible 

expenses. 

• Cost Share 

Reimbursement – Multiperiod sign-ups continue 

through January 31, 2024.

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance

Increasing 

Land, Capital, 

and Market 

Access 

Program (FSA)

The Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access 

(Increasing Land Access) Program helps underserved 

producers by increasing land, capital, and market 

access. The Increasing Land Access Program is 

intended to address this problem by increasing access 

to farm ownership opportunities, increasing access, 

and improving results for those with heirs’ property 

or fractionated land, increasing access to markets 

and capital that affect the ability to access land, and 

increasing land ownership, land succession, and 

agricultural business planning. The agreements may be 

for up to five years and may be local, state, regional, or 

national in scope.

More information available: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/increasing-land-access/index

• State, Territorial, and 

municipal governments

• Indian Tribes, including 

their instrumentalities, 

organizations, and Native 

financial institutions

• Public and state-controlled 

and nonprofit institutions of 

higher education

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) 

status

• Grant and Cooperative 

Agreement – Onetime Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• $250,000 to $40,000,000

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 20

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Micro Farm 

Program (RMA)

The Micro Farm program provides a risk management 

safety net for all commodities on a single farm under one 

insurance policy. This insurance plan is tailored for any 

farm with up to $350,000 in approved revenue, including 

farms with specialty or organic commodities (both crops 

and livestock), or those marketing to local, regional, farmidentity preserved, specialty, or direct markets.

More information available: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/

Fact-Sheets/National-Fact-Sheets/Micro-Farm-Program

Policy holders must share 

in the risk of producing an 

eligible crop and is entitled 

to an ownership share of the 

crop as a:

• Landowner

• Tenant

• Sharecropper

Policy holders must:

• Be eligible to receive 

Federal benefits;

• Be a U.S. citizen or 

resident;

• File either a Schedule F 

tax form or other farm tax 

form that can be converted 

to a Substitute Schedule F 

for a specified number of 

years

• Have no more than 

$350,000 of approved 

revenue (or $400,000 if 

you had Micro Farm the 

previous year)

• Have no more than 50 

percent of total revenue 

from commodities 

purchased for resale

• Insurance 

– On-going 

enrollment 

through 

authorized 

crop or 

livestock 

insurance 

agents

Noninsured 

Crop Disaster 

Assistance and 

Other Disaster 

Assistance 

Programs (FSA)

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) 

provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or 

prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/

noninsured-crop-disaster-assistance/index

Policy holders must share 

in the risk of producing an 

eligible crop and is entitled 

to an ownership share of the 

crop as a:

• Landowner

• Tenant

• Sharecropper

• Disaster Assistance – Ongoing Application Period
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 21

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Organic 

Certification 

Cost Share 

Program (FSA)

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides 

organic producers and handlers with financial assistance 

to reduce the cost of organic certification. The program 

reimburses producers and handlers for a portion of their 

paid certification costs. Reimbursement is available per 

certification scope—crops, livestock, wild crops, handling, 

and State Organic Program fees.

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/occsp

• Certified organic producers 

and handlers who have 

paid certification fees 

during the 2021 and 

subsequent program year.

• Cost Share 

Reimbursement – Multiperiod sign-up.

• In 2024, FSA increased 

the cost share to 75 

percent or $750 per 

category, the maximum 

amount allowed by statute.

Rural Energy 

for America 

Program (RD)

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and 

grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses for renewable energy systems or to make 

energy efficiency improvements.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energyamerica-program-renewable-energy-systems-energyefficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans

• Agricultural producers

• Small businesses 

• Loan Guarantee and 

Grant – Multi- Application 

Period through fiscal year 

2024.

• The loan guarantee 

percentage is published 

annually in a Federal 

Register notice. 

• Loan guarantees on loans 

up to 75 percent of total 

eligible project costs. 

• Grants for up to 40 percent 

of total eligible project 

costs. 

• Combined grant and loan 

guarantee funding up 

to 75% of total eligible 

project costs. 

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Equipment

Transitional and 

Organic Grower 

Assistance 

Program (RMA)

The Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance (TOGA) 

Program provides premium assistance to agricultural 

producers who have crop insurance coverage on crops 

in transition to organic or certified organic grain and feed 

crops for the 2023 reinsurance year. 

More information available at: https://www.farmers.gov/

organic-transition-initiative/toga

• Eligible producers will 

automatically receive 

the premium assistance 

on the premium billing 

statements for the 2023 

reinsurance year, which 

covers applicable policies 

with sales closing dates 

from July 1, 2022, to June 

30, 2023.

• Insurance – Onetime premium subsidy 

(CLOSED).
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 22

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Whole-Farm 

Revenue 

Protection 

(RMA)

Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) provides a risk 

management safety net for all commodities on the farm 

under one insurance policy and is available in all counties 

nationwide. This insurance plan is tailored for any farm 

with up to $17 million in insured revenue, including farms 

with specialty or organic commodities (both crops and 

livestock), or those marketing to local, regional, farmidentity preserved, specialty, or direct markets.

More information available at: https://www.rma.usda.gov/

en/Policy-and-Procedure/Insurance-Plans/Whole-FarmRevenue-Protection

Policy holders must:

• Be eligible to receive 

Federal benefits.

• Be a U.S. citizen or 

resident.

• File either a Schedule F 

tax form or other farm tax 

form that can be converted 

to a Substitute Schedule F 

for a specified number of 

years. 

• Have no more than $17 

million in insured revenue.

• Have no more than 50 

percent of total revenue 

from commodities 

purchased for resale.

• Have ‘buy-up’ coverage 

levels on any Federal 

crop insurance plans you 

choose in addition to the 

WFRP insurance plan.

• Have two or more 

commodities if a 

commodity you are raising 

has revenue protection 

or actual revenue history 

insurance available.

• Have two or more 

commodities if there are 

potatoes on the farm.

• Insurance – Talk to local 

crop insurance agent 

about enrollment.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 23

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Partnerships for 

Climate Smart 

Commodities 

(NRCS)

Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities will expand 

markets for America’s climate smart commodities, 

leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate smart 

commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful 

benefits to production agriculture, including for small 

and underserved producers. A funding opportunity was 

offered in 2022, and one-to-five-year grants began in 

2023.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities

• County, city or township 

governments

• Special district 

governments

• State governments

• Small businesses

• For-profit organizations 

other than small 

businesses

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) and tribal 

organizations

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• Public, State-controlled, 

and Private institutions of 

higher education

• Grant – One-time 

Application (CLOSED) 

• $250,000 to $100,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

Urban 

Agriculture 

and Innovative 

Production 

Competitive 

Grants Program 

(OUAIP)

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) 

Competitive Grants Program initiate or expand efforts 

of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, 

schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and 

suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; 

education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; 

and development of policies related to zoning and other 

needs of urban production.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

topics/urban/grants

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) 

• State-recognized 

Tribes should select 

“Native American tribal 

organizations (other than 

federally recognized tribal 

governments)”

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• A unit of local government 

(city, township, county, 

school district, Soil and 

Water Conservation 

Districts)

• Schools (Kindergarten 

through Grade 12)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $50,000 to $350,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 24

Investment Focus: PROCESSING

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Agricultural 

Innovation 

Center (RD)

The Agricultural Innovation Center Program makes grants 

to agriculture innovation centers to provide technical 

assistance. The assistance is provided to agricultural 

producers to help them develop and market value-added 

agricultural products.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/business-programs/agricultureinnovation-center-program

• Local Governments

• State Governments 

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

Recognized)

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Nonprofit organizations

• Commercial Organizations

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period-

• Up to $1,000,000 

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

Agriculture and 

Food Research 

Initiative: Meat 

and Poultry 

Processing 

– Agriculture 

(NIFA)

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Meat 

and Poultry Processing - Agricultural Workforce Training 

Program (MPP-AWT) seeks to support the development, 

expansion, and standardization of meat and poultry 

processing training programs at community, junior, and 

technical colleges. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative-afri/

afri-education-workforce-development

• State Agricultural 

Experiment Station

• Colleges and universities

• University research 

foundations

• Other research institutions 

and organizations

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Private organizations or 

corporations

• Individuals who are U.S. 

citizens, nationals, or 

permanent residents

• Group consisting of two or 

more entities listed above

• Grant – One-time 

Application Period

• Up to $650,000 

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 25

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Business 

and Industry 

Guaranteed 

Loans (RD)

The Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loans 

program provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders 

for loans to eligible rural businesses. Each year, at least 

five percent of B&I funds are set aside for local foodrelated projects. Under this set aside, the B&I program 

provides loan guarantees for entities that process, 

distribute, aggregate, store and/or market locally or 

regionally-produced agricultural food products to support 

community development and farm and ranch income.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/business-industryloan-guarantees

• Federal and Statechartered banks

• For-profit or non-profit 

organizations

• Cooperatives

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Public bodies 

• Individuals engaged or 

proposing to engage in a 

business 

• Savings and loans 

• Farm Credit Banks with 

direct lending authority

• Credit unions

• Loan – On-going • Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

Community 

Facilities Loans 

and Grants (RD)

This program provides affordable funding to develop 

essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential 

community facility is defined as a facility that provides an 

essential service to the local community for the orderly 

development of the community in a primarily rural area, 

and does not include private, commercial, or business 

undertakings.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/community-facilities/communityfacilities-direct-loan-grant-program

• Public bodies

• Community-based nonprofit organization

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant, Loan, and 

Combination Grant 

and Loan– On-going 

Application Period

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 26

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Dairy Business 

Innovation 

Initiatives (AMS)

The Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives support 

dairy businesses in the development, production, 

marketing and distribution of dairy products and regional 

milk production. DBI Initiatives provide direct technical 

assistance and grants of up to $500,000 to dairy 

businesses, including niche dairy products, such as 

specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk 

of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep and goat milk, 

and dairy promotion and research boards.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/dbi

• DBI grants are primarily 

awarded annually to 

current Initiatives unless 

funds are specifically 

provided to identify new 

Initiatives via a competitive 

process.

• In the event of competitive 

funding availability, these 

types of entities are eligible 

to apply as an Initiative 

host:

• State agencies of 

agriculture or other state 

entities

• Cooperative extension 

service

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Nonprofit organizations

• Beneficiaries include dairy 

farms and businesses with 

limited access to other 

assistance, employeeowned dairy businesses, 

cooperatives, and dairy 

businesses that seek 

to create value-added 

products.

• Direct Technical 

Assistance and Grants – 

Annual Application Period

• There is no minimum 

or maximum DBI subaward. Funds are equally 

distributed among the 

current initiatives based on 

annual appropriations.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 27

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Resilient 

Food Systems 

Infrastructure 

(AMS)

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) 

program will award non-competitive cooperative 

agreements to each U.S. state and territory to develop 

and administer state coordinated initiatives to build 

resilience across the middle of the State’s food supply 

chain for food crops. States and territories will make 

competitive Infrastructure Grants to eligible entities 

to support expanded capacity for the aggregation, 

processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, 

wholesaling, or distribution of locally and regionally 

produced food products. 

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/rfsi

• State agencies, 

commissions, or 

departments responsible 

for agriculture

• Cooperative Agreement 

– One-time Application 

Period through State 

Agencies

• $2,000,000 minimum 

per State; $100,000 

to $3,000,000 for subawardees

• Cost share or match 

required for sub-awardees 

only. 

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Food Supply 

Chain Loan 

Guaranteed 

Program (RD)

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program 

provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan 

applicants want to start or expand middle of the food 

supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, 

manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or 

distribution of food. The program’s goal is to increase 

capacity and help create a more resilient, diverse, and 

secure U.S. food supply chain.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

food-supply-chain-guaranteed-loans

• For-profit or nonprofit 

businesses

• Cooperatives

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Public bodies

• Food supply chain 

entrepreneurs

• Lenders, including banks, 

credit unions, CDFIs, loan 

funds, and others

• Loan –One-time funding 

(CLOSED)

• Up to $40,000,000 for 

qualified lenders

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Indigenous 

Animals 

Harvesting 

and Meat 

Processing 

Grant Program 

(RD & AMS)

The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing 

Grant Program (Indigenous Animals Grants or IAG) 

supports projects that construct, renovate, or improve 

facilities, purchase and install equipment, address food 

insecurity or commercial market gaps, and otherwise 

support tribal food value-added infrastructure for animal 

protein processing including through indigenous informed 

design principles. 

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/iag

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant – One-time 

Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 28

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Local Meat 

Capacity Grants 

(AMS)

The Local Meat Capacity Grants (Local MCap) supports 

meat and poultry processors with smaller-scale projects, 

with a goal to increase processing availability and variety 

for local livestock producers. Local MCap can support 

equipment purchases and installation, facility and 

equipment upgrades, minor alterations and renovation, 

and capacity expansion projects.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/localmcap

• Individuals 

• For-profit or nonprofit 

businesses

• Local governments 

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• State agencies 

• Grant – One-time 

Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• $10,000 to $5,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required (for Processing 

Expansion Projects only).

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

(limited)

Meat and 

Poultry 

Processing 

Expansion 

Program (RD)

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program 

(MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors 

expand their capacity. USDA RD designed the MPPEP 

to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the 

U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply 

chain resiliency.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultryprocessing-expansion-program

• Sole proprietor businesses 

or other entities that 

engage – or want to 

engage – in meat and 

poultry processing.

• Grant – CLOSED.

• The maximum award 

amount is $25 million, or 

20 percent of total project 

costs, whichever is less. 

There is no minimum 

award amount.

• Equipment

• Infrastructure

Meat and 

Poultry 

Processing 

Intermediary 

Lending 

Program– 

Round 2 (RD)

The objective of the Meat and Poultry Processing 

Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) is to strengthen 

the financing capacity for independent meat processors, 

and to create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. 

food supply chain.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultryintermediary-lending-program

• Private nonprofit 

corporations

• Public agencies

• Tribes

• Cooperatives that finance 

– or plan to finance – the 

start-up, expansion, or 

operation of meat and 

poultry processing 

• Grant – Multiple-cycle 

Application Period 

(CLOSED).

• $500,000 to $15,000,000

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 29

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

National School 

Lunch Program 

Equipment 

Assistance 

Grant (FNS)

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment 

Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities makes 

funding available to NSLP-operating State agencies 

to competitively award grants to eligible School Food 

Authorities (SFAs) participating in NSLP. The State 

awarded subgrants support SFAs in equipment 

purchases, with a value of greater than $1,000, needed to 

serve healthier meals and improve food safety, and help 

support the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of 

the School Breakfast Program. Equipment improvements 

encourage scratch cooking in schools and supports 

purchase of local foods. 

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

nslp/prior-year-nslp-equipment-assistance-grants

• State agencies

Program beneficiaries 

include School Food 

Authorities (SFAs).

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Allotment varies by state.

• Equipment

Organic Market 

Development 

Grants (AMS)

The Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) 

aid in the expansion of new and additional market 

opportunities for U.S. organic market commodities. 

OMDG support 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. Project 

activities may take place over a 24- to 36-month period.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/omdg

• Certified or transitioning 

organic food producers or 

handlers

• Non-profit entities

• Tribal government

• State and local 

governments

• Grant Program – Onetime Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• $100,000 to $3,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required (for Market 

Development and 

Promotion and Processing 

Capacity Expansion 

Projects only).

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 30

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Regional 

Food System 

Partnerships 

(AMS)

The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) 

program supports partnerships that connect public and 

private resources to plan and develop local or regional 

food systems. The program focuses on strengthening 

the viability and resilience of regional food economies 

through collaboration and coordination.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/rfsp

• Partnerships made up of 

one or eligible entity and 

partner eligible to apply

Eligible entities:

• Producers, farmer or 

rancher cooperatives

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Majority-controlled 

producer-based business 

venture

• Community Supported 

Agriculture (CSA) networks 

and associations

• Food councils

• Local governments

• Nonprofit and public 

benefit corporations

• Economic development 

corporations

• Regional farmers’ market 

authorities

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

Eligible partners: 

• State agencies or regional 

authorities

• Philanthropic corporations

• Private corporations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Commercial, federal, 

or Farm Credit System 

Lending Institutions

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $100,000 to $1,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 31

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants (RD)

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) are 

a competitive grant to support targeted technical 

assistance, training, and other activities leading to 

the development or expansion of small and emerging 

private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 

employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. 

RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural 

areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any 

city with a population of 50,000 or more. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants

Rural public entities 

including, but not limited to:

• Towns

• Communities

• State agencies.

• Authorities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Rural cooperatives (if 

organized as a private 

nonprofit corporation)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• No award maximum

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Rural Energy 

for America 

Program (RD)

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and 

grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses for renewable energy systems or to make 

energy efficiency improvements.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energyamerica-program-renewable-energy-systems-energyefficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans

• Agricultural producers

• Small businesses 

• Loan Guarantee and 

Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• The loan guarantee 

percentage is published 

annually in a Federal 

Register notice. 

• Loan guarantees on loans 

up to 75 percent of total 

eligible project costs. 

• Grants for up to 40 percent 

of total eligible project 

costs. 

• Combined grant and loan 

guarantee funding up 

to 75% of total eligible 

project costs. 

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 32

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Urban 

Agriculture 

and Innovative 

Production 

Competitive 

Grants Program 

(OUAIP)

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) 

Competitive Grants Program initiates or expands the 

efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government 

officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas 

and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; 

education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; 

and development of policies related to zoning and other 

needs of urban production. 

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

topics/urban/grants

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) 

• State-recognized 

Tribes should select 

“Native American tribal 

organizations (other than 

federally recognized tribal 

governments)”

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• A unit of local government 

(city, township, county, 

school district, Soil and 

Water Conservation 

Districts)

• Schools (Kindergarten 

through Grade 12)

• Grant – Annual 

Application Period

• $50,000 to $350,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 

Value-Added 

Producer Grant 

Program (RD)

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program 

helps agricultural producers identify and start valueadded activities related to processing and marketing new 

products. 

Program goals include generating new products, creating 

and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing 

producer income. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/business-programs/agricultureinnovation-center-program

• Independent producers

• Agricultural producer 

groups

• Farmer and rancher 

cooperatives

• Majority-controlled, 

producer-based business 

ventures 

• Grant – On-going 

Application Period

• Up to $250,000

• Cost share or match 

required
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 33

Investment Focus: DISTRIBUTION

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Business 

and Industry 

Guaranteed 

Loans (RD)

The Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loans 

program provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders 

for loans to eligible rural businesses. Each year, at least 

five percent of B&I funds are set aside for local foodrelated projects. Under this set aside, the B&I program 

provides loan guarantees for entities that process, 

distribute, aggregate, store and/or market locally or 

regionally-produced agricultural food products to support 

community development and farm and ranch income.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/business-industryloan-guarantees

• Federal and Statechartered banks

• For-profit or non-profit 

organizations

• Cooperatives

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Public bodies 

• Individuals engaged or 

proposing to engage in a 

business 

• Savings and loans 

• Farm Credit Banks with 

direct lending authority

• Credit unions

• Loan – On-going • Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

Community 

Facilities Loans 

and Grants (RD)

This program provides affordable funding to develop 

essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential 

community facility is defined as a facility that provides an 

essential service to the local community for the orderly 

development of the community in a primarily rural area, 

and does not include private, commercial, or business 

undertakings.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/community-facilities/communityfacilities-direct-loan-grant-program

• Public bodies

• Community-based nonprofit organization

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant, Loan, and 

Combination Grant 

and Loan– On-going 

Application Period

• Cost share or match 

required

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 34

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Farm Storage 

Facility Loans 

(FSA)

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides 

low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade 

facilities to store commodities. 

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/price-support/facility-loans/farmstorage/

• Landowner

• Landlord

• Leaseholder

• Tenant 

• Sharecropper. 

Eligible borrowers must be 

able to show repayment 

ability and meet other 

requirements to qualify for a 

loan.

• Loan

• Up to $500,000

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Resilient 

Food Systems 

Infrastructure 

(AMS)

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) 

program will award non-competitive cooperative 

agreements to each U.S. state and territory to develop 

and administer state coordinated initiatives to build 

resilience across the middle of the State’s food supply 

chain for food crops. States and territories will make 

competitive Infrastructure Grants to eligible entities 

to support expanded capacity for the aggregation, 

processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, 

wholesaling, or distribution of locally and regionally 

produced food products. 

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/rfsi

• State agencies, 

commissions, or 

departments responsible 

for agriculture

• Cooperative Agreement 

– One-time Application 

Period through State 

Agencies.

• $2,000,000 minimum 

per State; $100,000 

to $3,000,000 for subawardees

• Cost share or match 

required for sub-awardees 

only. 

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Food Supply 

Chain Loan 

Guaranteed 

Program (RD)

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program 

provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan 

applicants want to start or expand middle of the food 

supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, 

manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or 

distribution of food. The program’s goal is to increase 

capacity and help create a more resilient, diverse, and 

secure U.S. food supply chain.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

food-supply-chain-guaranteed-loans

• For-profit or nonprofit 

businesses

• Cooperatives

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Public bodies

• Food supply chain 

entrepreneurs

• Lenders, including banks, 

credit unions, CDFIs, loan 

funds, and others

• Loan – Annual Application 

Period (CLOSED)

• Up to $40,000,000 for 

qualified lenders

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 35

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Local Food 

Promotion 

Program (AMS)

The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds 

projects that develop, coordinate and expand local 

and regional food business enterprises that engage 

as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer 

marketing, such as food hubs, distributors, and other 

local food aggregators, to help increase access to and 

availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural 

products.

More information available: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/lfpp

• Agricultural businesses 

and cooperatives

• Community Supported 

Agriculture (CSA) networks 

and associations

• Food councils

• Economic development 

corporations

• Local governments

• Nonprofit and public 

benefit corporations

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Regional farmers’ market 

authorities

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $25,000 to $500,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)

Organic Market 

Development 

Grants (AMS)

The Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) 

aid in the expansion of new and additional market 

opportunities for U.S. organic market commodities. 

OMDG support 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. Project 

activities may take place over a 24- to 36-month period.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/omdg

• Certified or transitioning 

organic food producers or 

handlers

• Non-profit entities

• Tribal government

• State and local 

governments

• Grant Program – Onetime Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• $100,000 to $3,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required (for Market 

Development and 

Promotion and Processing 

Capacity Expansion 

Projects only).

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 36

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Regional 

Food System 

Partnerships 

(AMS)

The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) 

program supports partnerships that connect public and 

private resources to plan and develop local or regional 

food systems. The program focuses on strengthening 

the viability and resilience of regional food economies 

through collaboration and coordination.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/rfsp

• Partnerships made up of 

one or eligible entity and 

partner eligible to apply

Eligible entities:

• Producers, farmer or 

rancher cooperatives

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Majority-controlled 

producer-based business 

venture

• Community Supported 

Agriculture (CSA) networks 

and associations

• Food councils

• Local governments

• Nonprofit and public 

benefit corporations

• Economic development 

corporations

• Regional farmers’ market 

authorities

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

Eligible partners: 

• State agencies or regional 

authorities

• Philanthropic corporations

• Private corporations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Commercial, federal, 

or Farm Credit System 

Lending Institutions

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $100,000 to $1,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 37

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants (RD)

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) are a 

competitive grant designed to support targeted technical 

assistance, training, and other activities leading to 

the development or expansion of small and emerging 

private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 

employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. 

RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural 

areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any 

city with a population of 50,000 or more. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants

Rural public entities including, 

but not limited to:

• Towns

• Communities

• State agencies.

• Authorities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Rural cooperatives (if 

organized as a private 

nonprofit corporation)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• No award maximum.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Rural Energy 

for America 

Program (RD)

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and 

grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses for renewable energy systems or to make 

energy efficiency improvements.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energyamerica-program-renewable-energy-systems-energyefficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans

• Agricultural producers

• Small businesses 

• Loan Guarantee and 

Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• The loan guarantee 

percentage is published 

annually in a Federal 

Register notice. 

• Loan guarantees on loans 

up to 75 percent of total 

eligible project costs.

• Grants for up to 40 percent 

of total eligible project 

costs.

• Combined grant and loan 

guarantee funding up 

to 75% of total eligible 

project costs.

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 38

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Specialty Crop 

Block Grant 

Program (AMS)

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

(SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty 

crops. States develop and oversee projects that leverage 

efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assist 

producers with research and development relevant 

to specialty crops, expand availability and access to 

specialty crops, and address local, regional, and national 

challenges confronting specialty crops. Specialty crops 

are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, 

horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/scbgp

• State departments of 

agriculture

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Allotment varies by state.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

The Emergency 

Food 

Assistance 

Program 

(TEFAP) Reach 

and Resiliency 

Grants – Round 

2 Funding (FNS)

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) 

Reach and Resiliency grants are intended to expand 

TEFAP’s reach into remote, rural, Tribal, and/or lowincome areas that are underserved by the program. 

Grant funding will provide TEFAP State agencies with 

an opportunity to re-envision how they can work with 

currently participating organizations and/or new partner 

organizations, to reach underserved populations in their 

State/Territory. The program will operate through Fiscal 

Year 2025.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

tefap/reach-resiliency-grant

• State agencies that 

administer TEFAP

Other organizations are 

eligible for subgrants under 

State agency award.

• Grant – Multi-cycle 

Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• Allotment varies by state.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment

• Infrastructur
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 39

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Urban 

Agriculture 

and Innovative 

Production 

Competitive 

Grants Program 

(OUAIP)

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) 

Competitive Grants Program initiates or expands the 

efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government 

officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas 

and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; 

education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; 

and development of policies related to zoning and other 

needs of urban production.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

topics/urban/grants

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) 

• State-recognized 

Tribes should select 

“Native American tribal 

organizations (other than 

federally recognized tribal 

governments)”

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• A unit of local government 

(city, township, county, 

school district, Soil and 

Water Conservation 

Districts)

• Schools (Kindergarten 

through Grade 12)

• Grant – Annual 

Application Period

• $50,000 to $350,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 40

Investment Focus: MARKETS — CONSUMERS

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Community 

Food Projects 

Competitive 

Grants (NIFA)

Community Food Projects (CFP) are designed to 

increase food security in communities by bringing 

the whole food system together to assess strengths, 

establish linkages, and create systems that improve 

the self-reliance of community members over their 

food needs. Preferred projects develop linkages 

between two or more sectors of the food system, 

support the development of entrepreneurial projects, 

develop innovative linkages between the for-profit and 

nonprofit food sectors, encourage long-term planning 

activities and multisystem, and build long-term capacity 

of communities to address the food and agricultural 

problems of communities, such as food policy councils 

and food planning associations. CFP gleaning projects 

get surplus food to feed the hungry, and develop linkages 

between food producers, providers, and food recovery 

organizations.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/community-food-projectscompetitive-grants-program

• Public food program 

service provider

• Tribal organizations

• Private nonprofit entities

• Gleaners

All eligible entities must 

have experience in 

community food work, 

development of new 

markets, job training and 

business development 

activities in low-income 

communities for foodrelated activities, and 

efforts such as food 

distribution, improving 

access to services, or 

coordinating services to 

reduce community food 

security. 

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

Grant Types:

• (1) Training and Technical 

Assistance (T&TA) 

Projects. 

• $1,000,000 over 4 years 

• Competed every 4 years. 

No Match required.

• (2) Planning Projects 

(PP) Maximum award 

is $35,000 over 12-36 

months

• Cost share or match 

required.

• (3) Community Food 

Projects (CFP). 

• Maximum award is 

$400,000 over 48 months

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 41

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Development 

and 

Implementation 

of Healthy 

Meals 

Incentives 

Recognition 

Awards and 

Sub-Grants for 

School Food 

Authorities 

Cooperative 

Agreement 

(FNS)

USDA FNS has established the Healthy Meals Incentives 

Initiative to improve the nutritional quality of school meals 

through food systems transformation, SFA recognition 

and technical assistance, the generation and sharing 

of innovative ideas and tested practices, and grants. 

On February 3, 2023, FNS announced a cooperative 

agreement with Action for Healthy Kids to develop and 

implement the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition 

Awards, Healthy Meals Incentives Grants for Small and/

or Rural SFAs, and the planning and implementation of 

the Healthy Meals Summits. Program activities will take 

place through December 2025. 

More information available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnp/

healthy-meals-incentives

• Nongovernmental 

organizations (organization 

not belonging to or 

associated with any 

government)

• Cooperative Agreement– 

One-time Application 

Period (CLOSED) 

• Up to $47,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment

Development 

and 

Implementation 

of Healthy 

Meals 

Incentives 

School Food 

System 

Transformation 

Challenge 

Sub-Grants 

Cooperative 

Agreement 

(FNS)

On March 22, 2023, FNS awarded four cooperative 

agreements for the administration and management 

of the Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System 

Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants. The awardees, 

Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise 

State University, Chef Ann Foundation, Full Plates 

Full Potential, and the Illinois Public Health Institute, 

will support The School Food System Transformation 

Challenge Sub-Grants. These sub-grants will support 

collaborative projects between school districts, food 

producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community 

partners to stimulate innovation in strengthening the 

availability of and access to nutritious food products in 

the K-12 school food marketplace. Program activities will 

take place through December 2028.

More information available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnp/

healthy-meals-incentives

• Nongovernmental 

organizations (organization 

not belonging to or 

associated with any 

government)

• Cooperative Agreement 

– One-time Application 

Period (CLOSED) 

• $12,500,000 to 

$50,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 42

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Farmers Market 

Promotion 

Program (AMS)

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds 

projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct 

producer-to-consumer markets (e.g., farmers markets, 

roadside stands, community-supported agriculture (CSA) 

programs, agritourism, online sales) to help increase 

access to and availability of locally and regionally 

produced agricultural products. Projects may include 

outreach, training, and technical assistance to direct 

producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

More information available: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/fmpp

• Agricultural businesses 

and cooperatives

• Community Supported 

Agriculture (CSA) networks 

and associations

• Food councils

• Economic development 

corporations

• Local governments

• Nonprofit and public 

benefit corporations

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Regional farmers’ market 

authorities

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $50,000 to $500,000

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)

Farm to School 

Grant Program 

(FNS)

The Farm to School Grant Program is designed to 

increase the availability of local foods in schools, 

grants can launch new farm to school programs or 

expand existing efforts. Funds support a wide range of 

activities, including training, planning, creating new menu 

items to serve local foods, establishing supply chains, 

hosting taste tests, purchasing equipment, planting 

school gardens, and organizing field trips to agricultural 

operations.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

f2s/farm-school-grant-program

• Schools and districts

• Indian Tribal Organizations

• Agricultural producers 

or groups of agricultural 

producers

• Nonprofit entities

• State and local agencies

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $50,000 to $500,000

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment

Farm to School 

State Agency 

Formula Grants 

(FNS)

The Farm to School State Agency Formula Grant will 

support State agency efforts to coordinate and provide 

technical assistance to build and increase the capacity of 

participating institutions to procure and use local foods in 

program meals as well as provide agricultural education 

opportunities for participating children. The program will 

operate through Fiscal Year 2026. 

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

f2s/farm-school-state-formula-grant

• State agencies operating 

the National School Lunch 

Program

• Grant – One-time 

Application Period 

(CLOSED)

• $600,000 minimum to 

$1,100,000 average

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 43

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Food and 

Agriculture 

ServiceLearning 

Program (NIFA)

The purpose of the Food and Agriculture ServiceLearning Program (FASLP) is to increase the knowledge 

of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health 

of children. The program’s goal is to increase the capacity 

for food, garden, and nutrition education within host 

organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and 

classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community 

engagement between farms and school systems by 

bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the 

food system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to 

not only increase access to school meals for low-income 

children, but also to dramatically improve their quality. 

Grant projects may include efforts to reduce food loss 

and waste throughout the local farm to school food 

system. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/food-agriculture-servicelearning-program

• State agricultural 

experiment stations

• Colleges and universities

• University research 

foundations

• Other research institutions 

and organizations

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Private organizations, 

non-profit organizations, 

foundations, or 

corporations

• Individuals or 

• Any group consisting 

of two or more entities 

described herein

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $0 to $225,000

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

Gus 

Schumacher 

Nutrition 

Incentive 

Program (NIFA)

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program 

(GusNIP) portfolio of competitive grant programs provide 

funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects 

providing incentives to income-eligible consumers to 

increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables and 

prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables. GusNIP 

includes three competitive grant programs: Nutrition 

Incentive Program, Produce Prescription Program, 

Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and 

Information Centers Cooperative Agreements. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/gus-schumacher-nutrition-incentiveprogram

• Non-profit organizations

• Governmental agencies, 

such as local, State, 

Territory, Tribal, or Federal 

agencies

• Please see the GusNIP 

Training, Technical 

Assistance, Evaluation, 

and Information Centers 

RFA for eligible entities.

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period for the GusNIP 

Nutrition Incentive 

Program and GusNIP 

Produce Prescription 

Program

• The GusNIP Training, 

Technical Assistance, 

Evaluation, and 

Information Centers are 

competed every 4 years.

• Maximum award size 

varies by program. Details 

are available in the RFA.

• Matching or cost share 

required for the GusNIP 

Nutrition Incentive 

Program.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 44

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Healthy Food 

Financing 

Initiative (RD)

The purpose of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative is to 

improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, to 

create and preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize lowincome communities. HFFI provides capacity building and 

financial resources to eligible healthy food retail projects 

to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry 

in underserved areas.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

about-rd/initiatives/healthy-food-financing-initiative

• For-profit, nonprofit, and 

cooperatively owned 

businesses

• Institutions of higher 

education

• State and local 

governments

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $20,000 to $200,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure 

Organic Market 

Development 

Grants (AMS)

The Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) 

aid in the expansion of new and additional market 

opportunities for U.S. organic market commodities. 

OMDG support 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. Project 

activities may take place over a 24- to 36-month period.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/omdg

• Certified or transitioning 

organic food producers or 

handlers

• Non-profit entities

• Tribal government

• State and local 

governments

• Grant Program – Onetime Application Period 

(CLOSED).

• $100,000 to $3,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required (for Market 

Development and 

Promotion and Processing 

Capacity Expansion 

Projects only).

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 

(limited)

Partnerships for 

Climate Smart 

Commodities 

(NRCS)

Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities will expand 

markets for America’s climate smart commodities, 

leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate smart 

commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful 

benefits to production agriculture, including for small 

and underserved producers. A funding opportunity was 

offered in 2022, and one-to-five-year grants began in 

2023.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities

• County, city or township 

governments

• Special district 

governments

• State governments

• Small businesses

• For-profit organizations 

other than small 

businesses

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) and tribal 

organizations

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• Public, State-controlled, 

and Private institutions of 

higher education

• Grant – One-time 

Application (CLOSED) 

• $250,000 to $100,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 45

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Regional 

Food System 

Partnerships 

(AMS)

The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) 

program supports partnerships that connect public and 

private resources to plan and develop local or regional 

food systems. The program focuses on strengthening 

the viability and resilience of regional food economies 

through collaboration and coordination.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/rfsp

• Partnerships made up of 

one or eligible entity and 

partner eligible to apply

Eligible entities:

• Producers, farmer or 

rancher cooperatives

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Majority-controlled 

producer-based business 

venture

• Community Supported 

Agriculture (CSA) networks 

and associations

• Food councils

• Local governments

• Nonprofit and public 

benefit corporations

• Economic development 

corporations

• Regional farmers’ market 

authorities

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

Eligible partners: 

• State agencies or regional 

authorities

• Philanthropic corporations

• Private corporations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Commercial, federal, 

or Farm Credit System 

Lending Institutions

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $100,000 to $1,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 46

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants (RD)

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) are 

a competitive grant to support targeted technical 

assistance, training, and other activities leading to 

the development or expansion of small and emerging 

private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 

employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. 

RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural 

areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any 

city with a population of 50,000 or more. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants

Rural public entities including, 

but not limited to:

• Towns

• Communities

• State agencies.

• Authorities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Rural cooperatives (if 

organized as a private 

nonprofit corporation)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• No award maximum.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Senior Farmers’ 

Market Nutrition 

Program (FNS)

The purposes of the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition 

Program (SFMNP) are to provide fresh, nutritious, 

unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and 

honey through farmers’ markets, roadside stands and 

CSA programs to low-income seniors; and increase the 

consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding, 

developing, or aiding in the development and expansion 

of domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and CSA 

programs.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program

• State agencies, including 

Indian Tribal Organizations 

and U.S. Territories

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Allotment varies by state.

Special 

Supplemental 

Nutrition 

Program for 

Women, Infants, 

and Children 

Farmers’ 

Market Nutrition 

Program (FNS)

The purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition 

Program for Women, Infants, and Children Farmers’ 

Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) is to provide 

fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, 

vegetables, and herbs to WIC participants through 

farmers’ markets and roadside stands, and to expand the 

awareness, use of, and sales at, farmers’ markets and 

roadside stands.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program

• State agencies, including 

Indian Tribal Organizations 

and U.S. Territories

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Allotment varies by state.

• Cost share or match 

required.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 47

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Specialty Crop 

Block Grant 

Program (AMS)

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

(SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty 

crops. States develop and oversee projects that leverage 

efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assist 

producers with research and development relevant 

to specialty crops, expand availability and access to 

specialty crops, and address local, regional, and national 

challenges confronting specialty crops. Specialty crops 

are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, 

horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/scbgp

• State departments of 

agriculture

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Allotment varies by state.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

Supplemental 

Nutrition 

Assistance 

Program 

– Nutrition 

Education (FNS)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – 

Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) program supports 

evidence-based nutrition education and obesity 

prevention interventions and projects for persons eligible 

for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

(SNAP) through complementary direct education, multilevel interventions, and community and public health 

approaches to improve nutrition. 

More information available at: https://snaped.fns.usda.

gov/

• State agencies • Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Allotment varies by state.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

Supplemental 

Nutrition 

Assistance 

(SNAP) 

Electronic 

Healthy 

Incentives Pilot 

(FNS)

The USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

(SNAP) Electronic Healthy Incentives Pilot, or eHIP, will 

support SNAP technology improvements to modernize 

the delivery of incentive programs through SNAP’s 

electronic benefit transfer (EBT) technology. Reliable, 

affordable, user-friendly technology is important to 

enabling producers and food businesses to accept SNAP 

benefits from customers. The Pilot will operate through 

December 31, 2027.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

snap/hip

• State agencies • Cooperative Agreement– 

One-time Application 

(CLOSED)

• $25,000,0000

• Up to 3 grantees

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 48

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Urban 

Agriculture 

and Innovative 

Production 

Competitive 

Grants Program 

(OUAIP)

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) 

Competitive Grants Program initiates or expands the 

efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government 

officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas 

and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; 

education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; 

and development of policies related to zoning and other 

needs of urban production. 

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

topics/urban/grants

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) 

• State-recognized 

Tribes should select 

“Native American tribal 

organizations (other than 

federally recognized tribal 

governments)”

• Nonprofits (other than 

institutions of higher 

education)

• A unit of local government 

(city, township, county, 

school district, Soil and 

Water Conservation 

Districts)

• Schools (Kindergarten 

through Grade 12)

• Grant – Annual 

Application Period

• $50,000 to $350,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 49

Investment Focus: FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION AND RECOVERY

The programs in this section have substantial food loss and waste components but food loss and waste is integrated into many other USDA

programs and activities, either directly or indirectly. For a comprehensive list of food loss and waste resources available from the USDA, visit the 

USDA Food Loss and Waste web site: https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste.

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Community 

Food Projects 

Competitive 

Grants (NIFA)

Community Food Projects (CFP) are designed to 

increase food security in communities by bringing 

the whole food system together to assess strengths, 

establish linkages, and create systems that improve 

the self-reliance of community members over their 

food needs. Preferred projects develop linkages 

between two or more sectors of the food system, 

support the development of entrepreneurial projects, 

develop innovative linkages between the for-profit and 

nonprofit food sectors, encourage long-term planning 

activities and multisystem, and build long-term capacity 

of communities to address the food and agricultural 

problems of communities, such as food policy councils 

and food planning associations. CFP gleaning projects 

get surplus food to feed the hungry, and develop linkages 

between food producers, providers, and food recovery 

organizations.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/community-food-projectscompetitive-grants-program

• Public food program 

service provider

• Tribal organizations

• Private nonprofit entities

• Gleaners

• All eligible entities must 

have experience in 

community food work, 

development of new 

markets, job training and 

business development 

activities in low-income 

communities for foodrelated activities, and 

efforts such as food 

distribution, improving 

access to services, or 

coordinating services to 

reduce community food 

security. 

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

Grant Types:

• (1) Training and Technical 

Assistance (T&TA) 

Projects. 

□ $1,000,000 over 4 

years 

□ Competed every 4 

years. No Match 

required.

• (2) Planning Projects 

(PP) Maximum award 

is $35,000 over 12-36 

months

□ Cost share or match 

required.

• (3) Community Food 

Projects (CFP). 

□ Maximum award is 

$400,000 over 48 

months

□ Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 50

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Composting 

and Food Waste 

Reduction 

Cooperative 

Agreements 

(OUAIP)

Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) 

Cooperative Agreements assist local and municipal 

governments with two-year projects that develop 

and test strategies for planning and implementing 

municipal compost plans and food waste reduction 

plans. Implementation activities will increase access to 

compost for agricultural producers, improve soil quality 

and encourages innovative, scalable waste management 

plans that reduce and divert food waste from landfills.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

topics/urban/coop-agreements

• City or township 

governments

• County governments; 

Independent School 

Districts

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Tribal organizations 

• State-recognized Tribes

• Cooperative Agreement – 

Annual Application Period

• $55,000 to $400,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Farm Storage 

Facility Loans 

(FSA)

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides 

low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade 

facilities to store commodities. 

More information available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

programs-and-services/price-support/facility-loans/farmstorage/

• Landowner

• Landlord

• Leaseholder

• Tenant 

• Sharecropper. 

(Eligible borrowers must be 

able to show repayment ability 

and meet other requirements 

to qualify for a loan.)

• Loan

• Up to $500,000

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Food and 

Agriculture 

ServiceLearning 

Program (NIFA)

The purpose of the Food and Agriculture ServiceLearning Program (FASLP) is to increase the knowledge 

of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health 

of children. The program’s goal is to increase the capacity 

for food, garden, and nutrition education within host 

organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and 

classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community 

engagement between farms and school systems by 

bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the 

food system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to 

not only increase access to school meals for low-income 

children, but also to dramatically improve their quality. 

Grant projects may include efforts to reduce food loss 

and waste throughout the local farm to school food 

system. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/food-agriculture-servicelearning-program

• State agricultural 

experiment stations

• Colleges and universities

• University research 

foundations

• Other research institutions 

and organizations

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Private organizations, 

non-profit organizations, 

foundations, or 

corporations

• Individuals or 

• Any group consisting 

of two or more entities 

described herein

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $0 to $225,000

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 51

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants (RD)

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) are 

a competitive grant to support targeted technical 

assistance, training, and other activities leading to 

the development or expansion of small and emerging 

private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 

employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. 

RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural 

areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any 

city with a population of 50,000 or more. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants

Rural public entities including, 

but not limited to:

• Towns

• Communities

• State agencies.

• Authorities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Rural cooperatives (if 

organized as a private 

nonprofit corporation)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• No award maximum.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure

Rural Energy 

for America 

Program (RD)

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and 

grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses for renewable energy systems or to make 

energy efficiency improvements.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energyamerica-program-renewable-energy-systems-energyefficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans

• Agricultural producers

• Small businesses 

• Loan Guarantee and 

Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• The loan guarantee 

percentage is published 

annually in a Federal 

Register notice.

• Loan guarantees on loans 

up to 75 percent of total 

eligible project costs. 

• Grants for up to 40 percent 

of total eligible project 

costs. 

• Combined grant and loan 

guarantee funding up 

to 75% of total eligible 

project costs. 

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Equipment
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 52

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Solid Waste 

Management 

Grants (RD)

This program reduces or eliminates pollution of 

water resources by providing 12-month funding for 

organizations that provide technical assistance or training 

to improve the planning and management of solid waste 

sites.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/water-environmental-programs/solidwaste-management-grants

• Public bodies

• Nonprofit organizations

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Academic Institutions

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $400,000 to $1,000,000

• Workforce 

Training / 

Technical 

Assistance

The Emergency 

Food 

Assistance 

Program 

(TEFAP) - Farm 

to Food Bank 

Program (FNS) 

The purpose of The Emergency Food Assistance 

Program (TEFAP) - Farm to Food Bank Projects is to 

(a) reduce food waste at the agricultural production, 

processing, or distribution level through the donation of 

food, (b) provide food to individuals in need, and (c) build 

relationships between agricultural producers, processors, 

and distributors and EFOs through the donation of food.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

tefap/farm-to-food-bank-project-grants

• TEFAP State agencies

• Other organizations eligible 

for pass-through funds or 

sub-grants under State 

award

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Allocations vary by state.

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Value Chain 

Coordination
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 53

Investment Focus: RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Agriculture and 

Food Research 

Initiative (NIFA)

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 

research, education, and extension grants improve 

rural economies, increase food production, stimulate 

the bioeconomy, mitigate impacts of climate variability, 

address water availability issues, ensure food safety 

and security, enhance human nutrition, and train the 

agricultural workforce. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative-afri

• State agricultural 

experiment stations

• Colleges and universities

• University research 

foundations

• Other research institutions 

and organizations

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Private organizations or 

corporations

• Individuals

• Group consisting of two 

or more of the entities 

mentioned above

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• $50,000 to $1,500,000 

• Cost share or match 

required. 

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

(limited) 

Beginning 

Farmer and 

Rancher 

Coordinators 

(FSA)

From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation 

programs to disaster assistance, USDA Beginning 

Farmer and Rancher Coordinators in each state can 

help beginning farmers get started or grow their farming 

operation through a variety of programs and services.

More information available at: https://www.farmers.gov/

your-business/beginning-farmers/coordinators

• Farmers

• Ranchers 

Beginning farmers are 

individuals or entities, who 

have not operated a farm 

for more than 10 years and 

substantially participate in the 

operation.

• Technical Assistance – 

Ongoing

• N/A

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 54

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Beginning 

Farmer and 

Rancher 

Development 

Program (NIFA)

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development 

Program provides grants to organizations for education, 

mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for 

beginning farmers or ranchers.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/beginning-farmer-rancher-developmentprogram-bfrdp

• Collaborative state, tribal, 

local, or regionally-based 

network or partnership of 

public or private entities, 

which may include: 

• State Cooperative 

Extension Services 

• Federal, state or tribal 

agencies

• Community-based 

and nongovernmental 

organizations

• College or university 

(including an institution 

awarding an associate’s 

degree) or foundation 

maintained by a college or 

university

• Any other appropriate 

partner, as determined by 

the Secretary

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period 

• Up to $750,000

• Cost share or match 

required. With proof 

provided, match can be 

waived for organizations 

serving underserved 

populations.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

(limited) 

Conservation 

Technical 

Assistance 

(NRCS)

The Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) provide 

farmers, ranchers and forestland owners with knowledge 

and tools to conserve, maintain and restore the natural 

resources on their lands and improve the health of their 

operations for the future.

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

getting-assistance/conservation-technical-assistance

• Producers • Direct Technical 

Assistance- On-going 

Application Period

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance
55

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Dairy Business 

Innovation 

Initiatives (AMS)

The Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives support 

dairy businesses in the development, production, 

marketing and distribution of dairy products and regional 

milk production. DBI Initiatives provide direct technical 

assistance and grants of up to $500,000 to dairy 

businesses, including niche dairy products, such as 

specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk 

of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep and goat milk, 

and dairy promotion and research boards.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/dbi

• DBI grants are primarily 

awarded annually to 

current Initiatives unless 

funds are specifically 

provided to identify new 

Initiatives via a competitive 

process.

• In the event of competitive 

funding availability, these 

types of entities are eligible 

to apply as an Initiative 

host:

• State agencies of 

agriculture or other state 

entities

• Cooperative extension 

service

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Nonprofit organizations

• Beneficiaries include dairy 

farms and businesses with 

limited access to other 

assistance, employeeowned dairy businesses, 

cooperatives, and dairy 

businesses that seek 

to create value-added 

products.

• Direct Technical 

Assistance and Grants – 

Annual Application Period

• There is no minimum or 

maximum DBI award. 

Funds are equally 

distributed among the 

current initiatives based on 

annual appropriations

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)

Enhancing 

Agricultural 

Opportunities 

for Military 

Veterans (NIFA)

The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military 

Veterans Program provides grants to non-profits to 

increase the number of military veterans gaining 

knowledge and skills through comprehensive, handson, and immersive model farm and ranch programs 

offered regionally leading to successful careers in the 

food and agricultural sector. The program encourages 

the development of training opportunities specifically 

designed for military veterans.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.

gov/grants/funding-opportunities/enhancing-agriculturalopportunities-military-veterans-competitive

• Nonprofit Corporations • Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $150,000 to $750,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance 

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 56

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Equity in 

Conservation 

Agreements 

(NRCS)

The Equity in Conservation Agreements fund two-year 

projects to expand delivery of conservation assistance 

to producers who are new to farming, are low-income, 

identify as one or more marginalized race or ethnicity, 

and/or are military veterans.

More information available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

about/partner-with-us/outreach-and-partnerships/equityconservation-agreements

• Individuals

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) 

• Tribal organizations

• Nonprofits

• Nonprofit private 

institutions of higher 

education

• Conservation districts

• Public/state-controlled 

institutions of higher 

education

• Cooperative Agreement – 

Annual Application Period

• $100,000 to $2,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

Extension Risk 

Management 

Education 

Program (NIFA)

The Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) 

Program’s objective is to educate agricultural producers 

on the full range of risk management strategies. ERME 

is delivered through four regional centers that provide 

leadership and competitive annual grants within their 

regions.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/environmental-resource-economicsprograms/extension-risk-management-education-program

ERME Competitive Grants: 

• Farm organizations

• Land-grant universities

• Cooperative Extension 

Services

• Lenders

• Consultants

• Other colleges and 

universities 

• Other public or private 

risk management service 

providers

• Competitive Grant – 

Annual Application Period

• Up to $50,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

Farm to School 

State Agency 

Formula Grants 

(FNS)

The Farm to School State Agency Formula Grant 

supports State agency efforts to coordinate and provide 

technical assistance to build and increase the capacity of 

participating institutions to procure and use local foods in 

program meals as well as provide agricultural education 

opportunities for participating children. The program will 

operate through Fiscal Year 2026.

More information available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

f2s/farm-school-state-formula-grant

• State agencies operating 

the National School Lunch 

Program

• Grant – One-time 

Application (CLOSED)

• $600,000 minimum to 

$1,100,000 average

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 57

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Federal State 

Marketing 

Improvement 

Program (AMS)

The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program 

(FSMIP) offers grants to assist in new market 

opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and 

research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency 

and performance of the marketing system. Applications 

must address one or more project types: agricultural 

product distribution, cooperative development, economic 

research to clarify marketing barriers and opportunities, 

and agricultural product development.

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/fsmip

• State departments of 

agriculture

• State agricultural 

experiment stations

• Other appropriate State 

agencies (i.e., State 

universities, State colleges, 

or State governmental 

entities)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $50,000 to $250,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

Food Safety 

Outreach 

Program (NIFA)

The Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grant Program 

provides funding for food safety training and education for 

small and mid-sized producers and processors affected 

by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The 

grant funds Community Outreach Projects, Collaborative 

Education and Training Projects, and Technical 

Assistance – Grant Writing Skills Projects. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.

gov/grants/programs/food-safety/food-safety-outreachprogram

• Cooperative Extension 

Service

• Nongovernment 

organizations and/

or community-based 

organizations

• Federal, State, local, or 

tribal agencies

• Institution of higher 

education

• Group of two or more 

entities mentioned above

• Grant – Annual 

Application Period

• Up to $550,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

(limited)

Meat and 

Poultry 

Processing 

Capacity - 

Technical 

Assistance 

(AMS)

USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity- Technical 

Assistance Program (MPPTA) ensures that participants 

in USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives have 

access full-range technical assistance to support their 

project development and success. These supply chain 

initiatives support the growth of domestic processing 

capacity and the ability of independent facilities to serve 

more customers in more markets. 

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/mppta

• Meat and poultry 

producers

• Meat and poultry 

processors

• Technical Assistance – 

Ongoing

• N/A

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 58

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Organic 

Agricultural 

Research and 

Extension 

Initiative (NIFA)

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension 

Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture 

issues, priorities, or problems through the integration 

of research, education, and extension activities. The 

purpose of this program is to fund projects that will 

enhance the ability of producers and processors who 

have already adopted organic standards to grow and 

market high quality organic agricultural products and 

to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, build 

resilience of the organic farming system, and protect 

water and other resources. 

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/organic-agriculture-researchextension-initiative

• State agricultural 

experiment stations

• Colleges and universities

• University research 

foundations

• Other research institutions 

and organizations

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Private organizations or 

corporations

• Individuals who are United 

States citizens or nationals

• Group consisting of two or 

more of the entities above

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $50,000 to $3,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination 

(limited)

Outreach and 

Assistance 

for Socially 

Disadvantaged 

and Veteran 

Farmers and 

Ranchers 

Program (OPPE)

Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged 

and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also 

known as the Section 2501 Program), is dedicated to 

addressing the needs of minority farmers. The program 

was expanded in the 2014 Farm Bill to also serve 

military veterans. The 2501 Program helps nonprofits 

and institutions provide critical resources, outreach, and 

technical assistance to these historically underserved 

producers.

More information available at: https://www.usda.gov/

partnerships/underserved-veteran-farmers-ranchersforesters

• Community-based 

organizations

• Networks and coalitions

• Land Grant Institutions 

(1890, 1994, 1862)

• Indian Tribal Community 

Colleges

• Alaska Native Community 

Colleges

• Hispanic Serving 

Institutions

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized) and tribal 

organizations; and 

• Other Institutions of Higher 

Education

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Up to $750,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 59

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Regional Food 

Business 

Centers (AMS)

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will 

administer the Regional Food Business Centers in 

cooperation with 12 lead organizations throughout the 

U.S. The Regional Food Business Centers will work to 

expand and strengthen regional food systems networks 

and partnerships; increase food and farm business 

and finance acumen as well as market awareness and 

access; increase the number of new food and farm 

businesses and viability of existing businesses; and 

increase the revenue of food and farm businesses 

served. The Regional Food Business Centers will achieve 

these goals through national coverage coordination, 

technical assistance and capacity-building for small and 

mid-sized producers, processors, and distributors to 

create new and rejuvenate current linkages throughout 

the supply chain. The 12 Regional Food Business 

Centers will target their work to historically underinvested 

communities in their region. The period of performance 

for each cooperative agreement is up to 60 months.

More information available at: www.ams.usda.gov/

regionalfoodcenters

• Producer networks or 

associations

• Food councils

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• State agencies or regional 

food authorities

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Nonprofit corporations 

• Economic development 

corporations

• Cooperative Agreement – 

• One-time Application 

(CLOSED)

• $15,000,000 -$50,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants (RD)

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) are 

a competitive grant to support targeted technical 

assistance, training, and other activities leading to 

the development or expansion of small and emerging 

private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 

employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. 

RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural 

areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any 

city with a population of 50,000 or more. 

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants

Rural public entities including, 

but not limited to:

• Towns

• Communities

• State agencies.

• Authorities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Institutions of higher 

education

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Rural cooperatives (if 

organized as a private 

nonprofit corporation)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• No award maximum.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

• Infrastructure
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 60

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Rural 

Cooperative 

Development 

Grants (RD)

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program 

improves the economic condition of rural areas by helping 

individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve 

rural cooperatives and other mutually owned businesses 

through Cooperative Development Centers.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

programs-services/business-programs/rural-cooperativedevelopment-grant-program

• Nonprofit corporations

• Institutions of higher 

education (private and 

public)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Up to $200,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

Rural Partners 

Network

The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an alliance of 

federal agencies and commissions working directly with 

rural communities to expand rural prosperity through job 

creation, infrastructure development, and community 

improvement.

Led by USDA Rural Development, RPN federal agencies 

also collaborate in the creation and development of Rural.

gov as well as focusing priorities, programs and staff to 

help all rural people build the futures they envision for the 

unique places they call home.

More information available at: https://www.rural.gov/

• RPN has launched two 

cohorts of community 

networks in states, 

territories, and Tribal 

Nations. 

• USDA selects RPN states 

and community networks 

based on quantitative and 

qualitative factors such 

as levels of economic 

distress, and readiness 

of communities and local 

stakeholder organizations 

to participate.

• Technical Assistance (No 

direct financial award)

• RPN 

Community 

Networks 

are being 

connected to 

resources to 

assist in:

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment

• Infrastructure 

Development

Small Business 

Innovation 

Research (NIFA)

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and 

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs 

offer competitively awarded grants to qualified small 

businesses to support high quality research related 

to important scientific problems and opportunities in 

agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/programs/small-business-innovation-researchtechnology-transfer-programs-sbirsttr

• Small, independent, US 

firms

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• $125,000 to $600,000

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 61

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Group Grant 

(RD)

The primary objective of the Socially Disadvantaged 

Groups Grant program is to provide technical assistance 

to socially disadvantaged groups through cooperatives 

and Cooperative Development Centers.

More information available at: https://www.rd.usda.

gov/programs-services/business-programs/sociallydisadvantaged-groups-grant

• Cooperatives

• Groups of Cooperatives

• Cooperative Development 

Centers that serve socially 

disadvantaged groups

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Up to $175,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

Soil Carbon 

Monitoring 

Training and 

Outreach 

Agreements 

(NRCS)

The Soil Carbon Monitoring Training and Outreach 

Agreements is training and outreach for assessing 

and monitoring the effects of Climate-smart practices 

on soil carbon sequestration and the use of a NRCS 

conservation evaluation and monitoring activity that 

provides financial assistance to producers for deep core 

soil organic carbon measurement. Project agreements 

will last two to four years. 

More information available at: https://www.grants.gov/

web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=343895

• Indian Tribes (Federally 

recognized)

• Tribal organizations

• Nonprofit organizations

• Public, state-controlled, 

and private institutions of 

higher education

• Members of Cooperative 

Ecosystem studies Units 

network

• State governments

• Cooperative Agreement– 

One-time Application 

(CLOSED)

• $1,500,000 to $2,000,000

• Workforce 

Training/

Technical 

Assistance

Specialty Crop 

Block Grant 

Program (AMS)

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

(SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty 

crops. States develop and oversee projects that leverage 

efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assist 

producers with research and development relevant 

to specialty crops, expand availability and access to 

specialty crops, and address local, regional, and national 

challenges confronting specialty crops. 

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/grants/scbgp

• State departments of 

agriculture (in the 50 

States, American Samoa, 

the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, 

the Commonwealth of 

Puerto Rico, the District 

of Columbia, Guam, and 

the United States Virgin 

Islands)

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Varies by State.

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Value Chain 

Coordination

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 62

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Specialty Crop 

Research 

Initiative (NIFA)

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative 

(SCRI) program is to address the critical needs of the 

specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support 

research and extension that address key challenges 

of national, regional, and multi-state importance in 

sustaining all components of food and agriculture, 

including conventional and organic food production 

systems.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

grants/funding-opportunities/specialty-crop-researchinitiative-scri

• Federal agencies

• National laboratories

• Colleges and universities

• Research institutions and 

organizations

• Private organizations or 

corporations

• State Agricultural 

Experiment Stations

• Individuals

• Groups consisting of two or 

more of the entities above

• Grant – Annual Application 

Period

• Varies by project type.

• Planning: Up to $50,000

• Standard Research 

and Extension Projects: 

$2,000,000 to $4,000,000

• Coordinated Agriculture 

Projects: $8,000,000 to 

$10,000,000

• Cost share or match 

required.

Sustainable 

Agriculture 

Research and 

Education 

Program (NIFA)

The purpose of the Sustainable Agriculture Research 

and Education program is to encourage research and 

extension projects designed to increase knowledge 

concerning agricultural production systems that maintain 

and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; 

conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish 

and wildlife habitat; maintain and enhance the quality of 

surface and ground water; protect the health and safety 

of persons involved in the food and farm system; promote 

the well-being of animals; and increase employment 

opportunities in agriculture. The SARE program is 

delivered through four regional centers that provide 

leadership and various types of competitive annual grants 

within their regions.

More information available at: https://www.nifa.usda.

gov/grants/funding-opportunities/sustainable-agricultureresearch-education-sare-regional-host

For funding opportunities in each region go to: https://

www.sare.org/ and click on the regional website.

• Varies depending on the 

type of grant applied for. 

Check the regional SARE 

program website for more 

information. 

• Eligible applicants 

commonly include anyone 

who works with farmers, 

including personnel at 

nonprofit organizations, 

colleges and universities, 

Cooperative Extension, 

municipalities, tribal 

governments, state 

departments of agriculture, 

federal agencies, research 

farms and experiment 

stations, for-profit business 

entities (such as private 

consultants, farmers and 

veterinary practices), etc.

• Subawards from SARE 

Regional Centers - Annual 

Application Period

• $5,000 to $400,000

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance

• Equipment 

(limited)
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 63

Program Purpose Eligible Recipients Type of Assistance/

Typical Award

Common 

Allowances

Transition 

to Organic 

Partnership 

Program (AMS)

As part of the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), the 

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is 

investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative 

agreements with non-profit organizations who will partner 

with others to provide technical assistance and wraparound support for transitioning and existing organic 

farmers. 

More information available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/

services/organic-certification/topp

• Nonprofit organizations • Cooperative Agreement -

• On-going Application 

Period

• Workforce 

Training/ 

Technical 

Assistance
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 64

ABOUT USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people 

at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad. We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, 

nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better 

nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation’s natural resources through conservation, 

restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands. The following agencies and offices contributed to this guide:

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS) AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities 

for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and 

availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country. In alignment with its mission, AMS serves as a local and regional food systems 

convener, data provider and researcher, funder, and technical assistance provider. AMS also facilitates local and regional food purchases. 

ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE (ERS) ERS’s mission is to anticipate trends and emerging issues in agriculture, food, the environment, and 

rural America and to conduct high-quality, objective economic research to inform and enhance public and private decision making. ERS research 

provides context for and informs the decisions that affect the agricultural sector, which in turn benefits everyone with efficient stewardship of our 

agricultural resources and the economic prosperity of the sector. ERS conducts research on local food systems, including alternative definitions of 

local food, estimates market size and scope, characteristics of local food consumers and producers, and early indications of local food systems’

economic and health impacts.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 65

FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, 

commodity, disaster and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE (FAS) FAS links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security. 

FAS staff identify problems, provide practical solutions, and work to advance opportunities for U.S. agriculture and support U.S. foreign policy 

around the globe.

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS) FNS aims to advance food and nutrition security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating 

organizations by providing children and income eligible individuals and households access to food and nutrition education in a manner that supports 

American agriculture and inspires public confidence.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE STATISTICS SERVICES (NASS) NASS conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering 

virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture. Production and supplies of food and fiber, prices paid and received by farmers, farm labor and wages, farm 

finances, chemical use, and changes in the demographics of U.S. producers are only a few examples.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (NIFA) NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, 

and Extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global 

preeminence of U.S. agriculture.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) Through voluntary conservation programs, NRCS helps producers, soil and 

water conservation districts, and other partners protect and conserve natural resources on private lands throughout the United States. Since its 

inception on the 1930’s Dust Bowl, NRCS has been locally-led and producer-focused. Today, the agency works side-by-side with producers in their 

communities through approximately 2,300 service centers and a network of dedicated partners.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST (OCE) OCE is the focal point for economic and policy-related research and analysis for the USDA. OCE 

houses USDA’s Food Loss and Waste Liaison, established by SEC. 12504 of the 2018 Farm Bill. This Liaison supports and promotes Federal 

programs to measure and reduce food loss and waste and increase food recovery, and provides information to, and serves as a resource for all 

entities interested in food loss and waste. 

OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT (OPPE) OPPE develops and maintains partnerships focused on solutions to 

challenges facing rural and underserved communities in the United States. OPPE works across USDA agencies to coordinate outreach efforts to 

promote increased awareness of, and participation in, USDA’s programs and services.

OFFICE OF TRIBAL RELATIONS (OTR) OTR serves as a single point of contact for Tribal issues and works to ensure that relevant programs 

and policies are efficient, easy to understand, accessible, and developed in consultation with the American Indians and Alaska Native constituents 

they impact.

OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION (OUAIP) The 2018 Farm Bill established the OUAIP to encourage 

and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices. The office is housed within the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation 

Service (NRCS) but is a USDA-wide office, including representatives from other USDA agencies like the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the 

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The USDA provides financial and technical assistance through competitive grants, cooperative agreements, 

and pilot urban and suburban county committees administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The office also provides advice to the Secretary, 

coordinates policy and programs updates across agencies, collaborates with other Federal agencies, and provides engagement with the public 

through the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agricultural and Innovative Production.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 66

RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY (RMA) RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. 

RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of 

agriculture.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT (RD) RD is committed to improving the economy and quality of life in rural America. We offer loans, grants and loan 

guarantees that help create jobs, support economic development, and bolster essential services such as health care, first responder services and 

equipment, and water, electric and communications infrastructure. We promote rural economic development by backing loans to businesses through 

banks, credit unions and community- managed lending pools. We support technical assistance and training to help agricultural producers and 

cooperatives get started or improve the effectiveness of their operations, and we also help rural residents buy or rent safe, affordable housing and 

make repairs necessary for health and safety to their homes.
Local and Regional Food Systems Resource Guide 67

ENDNOTES

1 https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/

2 https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/

3 https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Local-and-Regional-Food-Systems-Response-to-COVID-19-Final-Report-004-1.pdf

4 https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFS-CFI-02-UPDATED.pdf

5 https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp/how-do-i-apply-fmpp-grant

6 https://www.fns.usda.gov/f2s/geographic-preference

7 https://www.usda.gov/oce/sustainability/definitions

8 Kovacs, T. (2017, February 7) Farm to Institution: USDA Tools and Resources [PowerPoint Presentation] Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

9 https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/

10 https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/

11 https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Local-and-Regional-Food-Systems-Response-to-COVID-19-Final-Report-004-1.pdf

12 https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/USDAAgriFoodSupplyChainReport.pdf

13 https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17885&reportPath=/FoodDollar/Nominal

14 https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/41035/15335_aer780_1_.pdf?v=8173.1

15 https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/2019-Farm-to-School-Census.pdf

16 https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/2019-Farm-to-School-Census.pdf

17 https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFS-CFI-02-UPDATED.pdf

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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December 2023