Oct 18, 2023

Moxxy Marketing adds service for USDA grants

Moxxy Marketing has worked with multiple specialty crop commodity groups to submit applications and obtain funding through USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grants.

AMS grants are designed to fund projects “that enhance the marketability and competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products locally, nationally and internationally,” according to the USDA.  

“Commodity boards and associations play a vital role in advocating for their respective industries, but the process of applying for USDA grants can be confusing, complex and time-consuming,” Karen Nardozza, Moxxy Marketing president and CEO, said in a news release. “Moxxy recognizes this challenge and after our previous achievements in securing grants for our clients, we have developed a comprehensive service designed to simplify the application process and maximize the chances of success.”

Key USDA grant programs include the Local Agriculture Market Program, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and Specialty Crop Multistate Program. These grants are intended to benefit commodities and agricultural communities, not individual companies, and thus the emphasis on working through commodity boards and associations.

The amount of grants available to each state is determined by a formula set by Congress, but six-figure marketing grant amounts are common. Much of the available USDA grant funding is administered by state departments of agriculture.

“While they are federally funded programs, each state has their own process, timeline and priorities,” Terry Feinberg, vice president of strategy at Moxxy Marketing, said in the release. “We’ve cataloged and understand each state’s requirements, and can help groups structure and complete their grant applications.”

Key features of Moxxy Marketing’s USDA grant application service include:

• Grant strategy development
• Grant proposal writing
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Project implementation
• Compliance and reporting assistance

State filing deadlines for the next round of Specialty Crop Block Grants that will fund on Jan. 1, 2025, range from early December through mid-March 2024. For more information, email [email protected].