USDA Rural Energy for America Program DEADLINE: April 30
The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has announced its funding deadlines for the year. This program offers funds to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption. Read more information about the program or check out the funding notice.
Specialty Crop Block Grant
DEADLINE: June 1:
- The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has announced the Specialty Crop Block Grant deadline for the year. This program funds projects that improve the competitiveness for specialty crops in the state. Check out the Request for Proposals for more information. You may also want to look at last year's recipients nationwide for a better understanding of what the program can fund.
Other current funding opportunities:
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- The USDA/NRCS has a number of programs and regional initiatives that are specific to certain counties in Kentucky. The best way to learn more about these special programs is to contact your local NRCS office, who can work with you on a conservation plan and help you learn whether your particular land is eligible for a program. The next cut-off for the Environmental Quality Improvements Program (and many of the initiatives within that program) is April 19.
- Kentucky On-Farm Energy Efficency Program
- The Kentucky On-Farm Energy Efficiency Program funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund provides incentives for Kentucky farm families to increase energy efficiency and renewable fuel production. Successful applicants may receive up to 50 percent reimbursement of the actual cost of a qualified energy saving item, up to $15,000. Applications are reviewed quarterly, and the next deadline for applications is April 26.
- USDA Farm to School Grant Program
- The USDA Farm to School Program offers grants to help schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect with local producers. You may want to bring this opportunity to the attention of your local schools especially if you are working with them on expanding their use of local food. You might also be interested in taking a look at the new “support service” grants that are open to producers and producer groups. Three different types of grants are available: planning grants, implementation grants, and support service grants. The deadline for applications is April 24.
- USDA/NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant Program
- The USDA/NRCS also offers a Conservation Innovation Grant program, at both the national and state level. While the deadline for the national grant has passed, the Kentucky deadline for the state grant program is April 26.
- Southern United States Trade Association
- The Southern United States Trade Association provides funds to small business applicants looking to launch new branded exports through the Market Access Program. The program can cover up to 50% of international marketing and promotion expenses, including tradeshow expenses, in-store displays and label changes.
- Kentucky Export Initiative
- The Kentucky Export Initiative provides up to $6,000 through the State Trade and Export Promotion program for small businesses to help with covering costs associated with export activities, including market research, trade shows, translation services, export technical assistance and other items.
- USDA Farm Service Agency Loans
- The Farm Service Agency makes or guarantees loans to farmers unable to obtain credit elsewhere. The Farm Service Agency also reserves funds each year to make loans to individuals from socially disadvantaged groups to buy and operate family-size farms. For the purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups have been defined as women, Blacks or African Americans, American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders. Click here for more information or contact your local FSA office.
Go to Programs for the full list of funding opportunities.
