Grants & Funding opportunities For Idaho Farms, Ranches, and Value-Added Food Businesses
Are you ready to take your Idaho farm, ranch, or food business to the next level? Imagine expanding your operation with renewable energy projects, bringing farm-fresh food to local schools, or earning certifications that open doors to new markets. These grant opportunities are designed to empower Idaho’s farm, ranch, and food craft businesses to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact in their communities. From funding for energy efficiency upgrades to support for community-based gardens, these programs can help you turn your vision into reality. Keep reading to find the perfect opportunity for your business!
Idaho Business Builder Grants For farm, ranch, or value-added food businesses in Idaho
Are you an Idaho-based farm, ranch, or value-added food business? Do you source from local or regional producers within a 450-mile radius of your business? Then you may be eligible for grants between $3,000 and $15,000 that are designed to support small to mid-scale Idaho food and farm businesses, helping to get locally produced food into local markets by strengthening food supply chains.
Apply by Jan. 15, 2025
Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC)
USDA’s Farm Service Agency is once again offering the FSCSC program, which provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations to cover eligible expenses related to on-farm food safety certification. Applications for calendar year 2024 are being accepted through January 31, 2025, with the 2025 application period running from January 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.
REAP Grants for Idahoans
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
Grant competition deadlines are December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
Farm to School Grants
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program – The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program requests for applications (RFAs) are now open. Eligible projects must improve access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program sites. For eligibility requirements and application information, click here.
Application deadline Jan 10, 2025
People’s Garden Initiative
Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife.
Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.
Additional Grant & Funding Opportunities
Boise State University’s Center for School and Community Partnerships, one of the four cooperators for the Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System Transformation Challenge sub-grants, released a RFA for round two of Project Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education System (SCALES) sub-grants.
“Applicants should propose innovative and collaborative approaches that reimagine the school food system and that could be sustained and scaled elsewhere. We encourage applicants to think creatively about transformational partnerships and projects, particularly those that bring new industry into the school food supply chain.”
Grants are available from $500,000 – $1,000,000 with a total of $8.5million to be awarded. The RFA closes Dec 13, 2024. For eligibility requirements, expectations, and more information, visit the Project SCALES website.
Idahoans can now apply to the following Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs funded through the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act grants that support Climate Smart Practices on Agricultural Land:
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements. Closes Dec 20, 2024.
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Closes Feb 28, 2025 and May 2, 2025.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns. Closes March 7, 2025 and April 4, 2025. Application deadlines and eligibility requirements vary, so please check the links for details.
Before you apply…
It is important to note that while we are excited to share these grant funding opportunities, ISDA and the Idaho Preferred program are not the issuing agencies for these grants. We encourage you to carefully review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines provided by the funding organizations to determine if your business qualifies. Our team is happy to serve as a resource and support you with information.
Take the Next Step
Don’t miss your chance to grow your business and make a difference in Idaho’s communities. Explore the grant opportunities linked above, and start your application today!