The following programs offered by USDA can help producers all along the plant-based food supply chain to increase or improve operations.
This is not a complete list; it is simply a summary of some of the more relevant programs.
For Plant-based Food Manufacturers
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
Read how the SCBGP funding was boosted at the end of 2020
The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”
In 2020, 56 grants, and 687 ‘sub-award projects’ were awarded $72.5 million
Eligible Recipients include nonprofit groups, producer groups, and colleges/universities that must arrange for funding through state departments of agriculture.
Historically, SCBGP is a highly competitive program, as only 10% of applications are awarded grants. Fortunately, the budget for 2021 has expanded to around $170 million.
The Specialty Crop Multi-State program may be of interest as well.
Read through the grant awards from 2020
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
AFRI, or the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is administered by NIFA, the National Institute of Food & Agriculture. AFRI is split up into four program areas:
Foundational and Applied Science Program (FASP) – AFRI
- Agency: NIFA
- Purpose: To promote the advancement of food technology for the sake of efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in US agriculture systems
- Annual funding: $290 million
- Grant sizes: $0 – $15 million
- Eligible recipients:
- State agriculture experiment stations
- Colleges and universities
- Federal agencies
- Other research institutions
- National laboratories
- Private and nonprofit organizations
- Competitiveness: 10-20% acceptance
- Examples of recent grant award projects:
- Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production – Pulse Production
- Enhancing Protein Composition In Soybeans For Improving Tofu Quality Using A3 Subunit As A Marker
- Biofortifying Wheat Using Selection, Introgression, and Reverse Genetics
- More info: https://nifa.usda.gov/program/afri-foundational-program
Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) – AFRI
- Agency: NIFA
- Purpose: To ensure the resiliency and sustainability of US agriculture systems into the future
- Annual funding: $150,000,000
- Grant sizes: $1,000,000 – $10,000,000
- Eligible recipients:
- State agriculture experiment stations
- Colleges and universities
- Federal agencies
- Other research institutions
- National laboratories
- Private and nonprofit organizations
- Competitiveness: 15% acceptance
- Examples of recent grant award projects:
- Developing And Deploying A Perennial Grain Crop Enterprise To Improve Environmental Quality And Rural Prosperity – University of Minnesota (2019)
- Increasing Water Productivity, Nutrient Efficiency and Soil Health in Rainfed Food Systems of Semi-Arid Southern Great Plains – Kansas State University (2018)
- Enhancing the Sustainability of US Cropping Systems through Cover Crops and an Innovative Information and Technology Network – North Carolina State University (2018)
- More info: https://nifa.usda.gov/program/afri-sas
Education and Workforce Development (EWD) – AFRI
- Agency: NIFA
- Purpose: To enhance agricultural literacy in workforce training, develop grad and undergrad skills toward successful careers, and advance sciences.
- Annual funding: $45,000,000
- Grant sizes: $0 – $1,000,000
- Eligible recipients:
- State agriculture experiment stations
- Colleges and universities
- Federal agencies
- Other research institutions
- National laboratories
- Private and nonprofit organizations
- Examples of recent grant award projects:
- Advancing Experiential Learning of Food Science for Engineering Students to Meet Processing Innovation Demands in the Food Industry (2021)
- Building Prosperity in Rural Communities through Community and Economic Development and Design (2021)
- Improving crop resiliency: multidisciplinary training of future agriculture leaders through research and extension (2021)
- More info: https://nifa.usda.gov/program/afri-education-workforce-development
Interagency Programs – AFRI
Current and past interagency programs include:
- Big Data, Informatics, and Smart Communities
- Comparative Genomics Research Program
- Cyber-Physical Systems
- Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit: Research in Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally Important Domestic Animal Species
- Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
- Food Specific Molecular Profiles and Biomarkers of Food and Nutrient Intake, and Dietary Exposure
- Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water (INFEWS)
- International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP)
- National Robotics Initiative
- Plant Biotic Interactions
- Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy
- Signals in the Soil (SitS)
For Farmers
For your reference, USDA puts out a summary for farmers that lists many programs available to them.
Loans for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes and guarantees loans to beginning farmers.
A ‘beginning farmer’ is 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 % of the average size farm in the county, at the time of application.
- If the applicant is an entity, all members must be related by blood or marriage, and all entity members must be eligible beginning farmers.
In addition, beginning farmers must meet the loan eligibility requirements for the program. Maximum Loan Amounts:
- Direct farm ownership: $600,000
- Direct operating loan: $400,000
- Microloan: $50,000 each for operating and farm ownership
2501 – Socially Disadvantaged & Veteran Farmers & Ranchers
2501 is meant to provide training to farmers and help them understand what programs they have access to.
The USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program), is managed by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
The 1990 Farm Bill established the program. 2501 provides outreach and technical assistance for underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the program’s reach to veterans.
Since 1994, the 2501 Program has awarded 533 grants totaling more than $138 million. This funding has helped reach socially disadvantaged agricultural producers. It helps farmers and ranchers who have experienced barriers to service due to racial or ethnic prejudice.
Eligible Recipients: Grants are awarded to higher education institutions and nonprofit and community-based organizations to extend USDA’s engagement efforts in these communities.
Projects funded under the 2501 program include — but are not limited to — conferences, workshops, and demonstrations on various farming techniques.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Highlights from the Official BFRDP Page:
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers.
Priority is given to partnerships and collaborations led by or including non-governmental, community-based organizations and school-based agricultural, educational organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach.
Furthermore, at least 5 percent of the funds support programs and services that address the needs of beginning farmers or ranchers with limited resources; socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers, and farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers. At least 5 percent of the funds support programs and services that address the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers. The term “farmer” should be interpreted to include traditional agricultural farmers, ranchers, and tree farmers.
BFRDP funds three types of projects:
- Standard Projects: to new and established local and regional training, education, outreach and technical assistance initiatives that address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers in selected areas
- Educational Enhancement Projects: to help develop seamless beginning farmer and rancher education programs by conducting evaluation, coordination, and enhancement activities for Standard Projects and other non-funded beginning farmer programs
- Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse: to make educational curricula and training materials available to beginning farmers and ranchers and organizations who serve them
For Supply Chain Operators
LAMP – Local Agriculture Marketing Program
LAMP supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products.
LAMP Goals
- Connect and cultivate regional food economies through public-private partnerships;
- Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production and local and regional food system infrastructure
- Strengthen capacity and regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains
- Improve income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses through job creation
LAMP includes many sub-programs: FMLFPP (FMPP & LFPP) , RSFP, and VAPG