Michigan Underserved, Value Added, and Regional Food Systems Grant Funding Available
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced funding available for the 2025 Underserved, Value Added, and Regional Food Systems Grants to establish, retain, expand, attract and/or develop value-added agricultural processing and underserved development in Michigan; expand or develop regional food systems; and expand access to healthy food. Applications for up to $100,000 are due October 29, 2024.
What is the purpose of the Alliance Grants Program?
MDARD’s value added and regional food systems grant aims to promote the expansion of value-added agriculture production, processing, develop food systems, healthy food access, and underserved business development within the state to enhance Michigan’s food and agriculture industry. MDARD will accept proposals that are intended to establish, retain, expand, attract and/or develop value-added agricultural processing and underserved development in Michigan; expand or develop regional food systems; or expand access to healthy food, including farm markets, flower markets, urban & rural agriculture, and hoop houses.
What projects are eligible?
The funding areas for the 2024 program are:
- Urban Agriculture
- Farm markets, flower markets, and hoop houses
- Food hub development
- Food access and education, including access to fresh/nutritional foods
- Value-added food processing and agro-tourism
- Innovation and equipment
- Feasibility studies; that lead to jobs/investment
- Outreach, education, and training
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants will be asked to self-certify that the entity is majority minority owned ventures such as beginning farmer or rancher, veteran farmer or rancher, limited resource farmer or rancher, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, women-owned small business, historically underserved-owned businesses and entities owned by underserved communities.
What is the match requirement?
Applicants must provide a minimum 30% match or a reduced 15% match available for underserved entities.
Projects with budgets of a maximum $100,000 and timelines up to eighteen months in length are invited to apply. Applications are due by October 29, 2024 at 5:00pm EST.
The Program Guidelines are available here.
For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764