Deadline for USDA local ag grants is May 14

The USDA has several Local Agricultural Market Programs that are offering grants to promote farmers markets, local food programs and regional food partnerships.

Application deadlines for the grants are May 14.

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

This program promotes direct producer-to-consumer marketing to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

The FMPP focuses on marketing activities such as farmers markets or community-supported agriculture and developing marketing strategies for producers of local and value-added products.

Office hours for FMPP applicants are from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern May 7. Register online for assistance.

Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

The LFPP Develops and coordinates local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing. The program focuses on supporting the processing, distribution, and storage of food products; and assisting with business development plans.

Office hours for LFPP applicants are from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern May 9. Register online for assistance.

Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP)

The RFSP program Supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems.

Examples of project activities for partnerships include, but are not limited to, convening partners to define the regional food system scope and structure, conducting research on specific markets or investments, or developing processes for ongoing community and business engagement.

Office hours for RFSP grant applications are from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern May 2. Register online for assistance.

The USDA has resources available to learn more about the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP):

• LAMP Stakeholder Toolkit (click to download)
• Webinars
• Technical assistance materials for applicants

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture also has funds available through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. This program, also known as GusNIP, brings together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system to foster understanding of how they might leverage federal nutrition assistance programs to improve the health and nutrition status of participants.

Currently, GusNIP aims to fund and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. Applications are also due May 14.

Top photo: Farmers markets are one form of direct marketing. File photo by Karin Higgins/University of California-Davis.