Grants for Organic Agriculture
Starting an organic farm or switching your existing agricultural production to organic methods means that you must meet standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board. Organic farming uses practices that "maintain, restore and improve" the ecological balance, according to the University of Iowa. To accomplish this, organic farmers rely on fewer chemical and artificial inputs, along with production methods that promote biodiversity. Grants to agricultural producers help organic farmers offset their investment and reduce the costs of getting started or making the transition to organic agriculture.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture
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For 2011, the USDA offers grants to individual certified organic producers and organizations interested in organic agriculture, along with those making the transition into organic crops. The USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative provides successful applicants with funding up to $80,000, for a six-year term, with a maximum of $20,000 annually. Nonprofits, educational institutions and for-profit entities can also submit proposals under this funding program. Non-producers can submit proposals for technical assistance projects that help organic farmers with marketing, production and regulatory policies.
Organic Farming Organizations and Foundations
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The Organic Farming Research Foundation is an agricultural trade association that offers a choice between two grants for research or education and outreach grants to farmers in the organic sector. Applicants can use the education and outreach grant to implement projects that address organic production, policies, economics, breeding, seed quality and social issues related to organic farming or ranching.
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program provides grant funds for individual farmers and organized farming cooperatives or collectives. The $10,000 individual grants and $15,000 organization grants help agricultural producers research, develop, market and produce sustainable agriculture practices and training materials.
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Finding Grants
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Contact your state agriculture department to find out if it offers special funding for organic farmers. The directory of green incentives by state lists a variety of grants for sustainable energy, energy efficiency that organic agricultural producers may qualify for and use to offset the costs of implementing organic agriculture projects. Organic farms that convert post-harvest waste to energy production may be able to qualify for this type of grant funding, along with funds targeted for energy-efficiency initiatives.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
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The federal government is a primary source of grants for agriculture. To find these grants, first search the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, or CFDA. This online resource catalogues all federally funded programs by keyword and agency. Once you identify a program, search Grants.gov to find open requests for proposals, application deadlines and eligibility criteria. The majority of federal grant assistance goes to nonprofits, including colleges, municipalities, Native American tribal entities and faith-based organizations. However, individuals may be able to receive technical assistance and training from a direct grantee in lieu of actual funding.
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References
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- Photo Credit farm image by forca from Fotolia.com
