National Agriculture Week: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow

GrantWatch is celebrating National Agriculture Week! It’s a great opportunity to bring awareness to the important role that agricultural management and production plays in literally keeping us all alive. In fact, the theme this year is all about growing a climate for tomorrow which means looking ahead to a sustainable future using innovative agricultural techniques today. GrantWatch is committed to listing grants in its directory that can help provide funding for the variety of agricultural programs and projects addressing so many different aspects of agricultural funding. Included below are several agriculture-related grants to use as part of an observance of National Agriculture Week. In addition, GrantWatch offers a list of hundreds of grants in its Farming and Agriculture grants category.

The Role of the USDA and the IRA

Now, a word from the USDA:

America’s producers are not only providing food, forage, and fiber for today – they are also investing in climate solutions that will ensure a prosperous agricultural future for generations to come.

USDA is growing a climate for success for all people involved in farming, ranching, and private forest land management. We are working to create an equitable and climate-smart food and agriculture economy built to support both rural and urban communities and empower… producers… who feed the world; improve the health, nutrition, and quality of life of all Americans; and yield healthy lands, forests, and clean water.

At the national level, the Inflation Reduction Act represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. This is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for this country and for the rural, suburban, and urban agricultural communities that USDA serves.

The IRA will help producers stay on the farm, prevent (sic) producers from becoming ineligible for future assistance. It provides $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with at risk agricultural operations, (sic) $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs.

The IRA will also promote climate-smart agriculture by increasing access to conservation assistance. It directs approximately $20 billion to support USDA’s conservation programs that yield climate-related benefits while building resilience in agricultural operations.

nrcs.usda.gov, “National Agriculture Day: Fifty Years Later, Farmers Are Growing a Climate for Tomorrow“

More About National Agriculture Week

But USDA can only succeed in its mission to help American agriculture thrive – and can only live up to President Lincoln’s description of it as the “People’s Department” – if it ensures that the Americans who need its services most receive them (sic).

Equity is a component in all we do at USDA. We ensure that the programs we support and the investments we make are available to everyone (sic) and we take special steps to ensure that underserved and small and medium-sized producers can participate in our programs and prosper as a result of our work.

USDA is working across its agencies to support urban producers in their efforts to not only grow fresh, healthy produce, but also help create jobs, beautify their neighborhoods, and increase access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce.

nrcs.usda.gov, “National Agriculture Day: Fifty Years Later, Farmers Are Growing a Climate for Tomorrow“

In observance of National Agriculture Week, below are grants currently available that address agricultural grant funding needs.

Agriculture Grants, Loans and Fellowships

1. Grants and loans to agricultural producers and small non-urban businesses for environmentally-efficient energy solutions. Funding is for installing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers will also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
2. There are grants of up to $10,000 to eligible organizations for activities that enhance natural resource industries. Funding supports events, projects, and programs to strengthen and promote the agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest product industries.
3. In addition, fellowships to Masters and PhD students for scientific research studies. Research will address a broad range of topics. The topics include agricultural engineering, mathematics, chemical engineering, organic chemistry, and machine learning. Applicants studying in Germany must undertake placements in a second country. Those studying outside Germany must undertake their fellowships at a German research institution.
4. In-kind donations of fuel credits to individual farmers to promote the use of renewable fuel. The purpose of funding is to help cover the cost of filling an on-site bulk fuel tank that is used for farm operations.
5. There are grants to agricultural producers, groups, and cooperatives for activities to develop and market value-added agricultural products. Funding is to assist agricultural producers who enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of new products. The goals of the program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

Additional Agriculture Grants and a Competition

1. Also, grants of up to $15,000 to eligible graduate students at IHEs and veterinary schools. Funding will be for research projects related to sustainable agriculture. Funding supports projects supervised by a faculty advisor that address themes of environmental stewardship and quality of life for farmers and the farm community.
2. Grants to state and territory governments to expand the specialty crops market, such as dried fruit, fruits and vegetables, nursery crops, horticulture, and tree nuts. Applications must be submitted by the government agency, department, or commission responsible for agriculture within that state or territory. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S.-territory grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets.
3. There are grants of up to $10,000 to eligible cooperatives to support community projects and develop agricultural leaders. Priority is for requests that align with farmer well-being and agricultural safety, rural community vitality, and agricultural education. Examples include food shelf donations, grain bin safety equipment and training, and local FFA and 4-H support. Funding is also to strengthen and uplift hometown communities.
4. In addition, a competition for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs government agencies, and individuals. The goal is to find ways to increase the nutritive-value of foods and develop previously underused crops. The purpose of the competition is to identify ingredients that could serve as emulsifiers, taste enhancers, bulking agents, and nutrition boosters.
5. Lastly, grants to IHEs, research institutions, agencies, nonprofits, private organizations, and individuals. These grants are to enhance children’s nutritional health and promote agricultural education. Projects are to expand existing farm-to-school initiatives and other food and agricultural experiential learning initiatives.

We hope you’ll join in observing National Agriculture Week and help increase awareness about the crucial role agriculture plays in our lives!

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