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Transportation and Marketing

Organic Market Development 

Grants (OMDG) 

Overview 

The OMDG program will invest in new and expanded organic markets through funding for expanded 

processing capacity, market development activities, and targeted equipment purchases. These 

investments in certified organic infrastructure are designed to increase consumption of domestically 

produced organic products. Organic producers and handlers have identified the development of new and 

expanded organic infrastructure, capacity, and markets as critical needs through public comments and 

listening sessions. USDA will prioritize funding to pinpointed markets for rotational grains, livestock feed, 

dairy, fiber, and key organic ingredients. Organic production, handling, and labeling standards are defined 

in the USDA Organic Regulations.

• Application Opened: May 10, 2023

• Application Closes: August 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants are business entities (regardless of legal structure) who produce or handle organic 

foods, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and government entities. Tribal, state, territory, and 

local government entities are also eligible to apply for funding. Eligible applicants must be 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. 
Agricultural Marketing Service

Applicants who produce or handle organic foods must either be certified to the USDA organic standards or 

in transition to organic certification, consistent with 7 C.F.R. §205. Applicants must be registered in the 

Organic INTEGRITY Database before the date of the Notice of Award. This requirement does not apply to 

non-profit or government entities. 

What is the maximum funding amount?

Processing Capacity Expansion Projects and Market Development and Promotion Projects may receive 

awards between $100,000 and $3,000,000. 

Simplified Equipment-Only Projects may receive awards between $10,000 and $100,000.

Is there a cost share or match required?

For the Market Development and Promotion and Processing Capacity Expansion Projects, the recipient 

must pay 50% of the project cost, matching federal funding. 

For underserved farmers and ranchers, or for other businesses that qualify under SBA categories of Small 

disadvantaged business, Women-owned small business, or veteran-owned small business, the required 

match funding contribution or cost share is reduced to 25% of the project cost. 

Simplified Equipment-Only Projects do not require matching funds.

What can I use the funding for?

Applicants must apply under one of three project types:

• Market Development and Promotion - Developing or expanding commercial markets for generic 

(non-branded) organic commodities, producer and/or consumer education, and product development 

for underutilized organic commodities.

• Processing Capacity Expansion - New or expanded aggregation, processing, storage, marketing, and 

distribution mechanisms for organic commodities to create a path to market for producers, including 

purchase and installation of equipment.

• Simplified Equipment-Only – purchase equipment to expand capacity for processing, aggregation 

and distribution of organic products to create markets for producers.

More information

Visit the web site for application and more information: www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg

For answers to frequently asked questions, please see:

www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/OMDG_FAQ.pdf

Contact us

For questions about OMDG, please email OMDG@usda.gov. 

June 2023 / www.ams.usda.gov

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