High Tunnel Grant Program

High Tunnel Grant Program is sponsored by Superior Health Foundation (administered by U. P. Food Exchange).

This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

High Tunnel Grant Program The U. P. Food Exchange, in partnership with Upper Peninsula Food as Medicine Team, is excited to announce the opening of a high tunnel grant program for area farms.

Under this program, one farm from each of the regional planning districts of the Upper Peninsula will be awarded funds to build new or additional high tunnel structures on their farm. Propagation structures are also allowable under this grant. The grant includes up to $12,000 for the materials and labor to build the facility as well as access to technical assistance for the construction.

Applications open February 28, 2024 Application Deadline is March 27, 2024 at 5pm Awards Announced April 3, 2024 Project Completion Deadline (including turning in all receipts) is September 20, 2024 Please read on to learn more, find resources, and access the link to the application. Questions can be directed to info@upfoodexchange. com or 906-225-0671 x 723.

The goal of the grant is to address food insecurity in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This grant program is generously funded by the Superior Health Foundation. Funds were awarded to the U.

P. Food as Medicine (UPFAM) team, a collaborative group of organizations from across the U. P.

, to create a Prescription for Health Program and distribute mini-grants to farms for infrastructure improvements that would increase the production and distribution of fresh, locally grown produce. The first two years of the program awarded cold storage grants. This round, year three of the program, will provide funds for farms seeking high tunnels.

The U. P. Food Exchange is handling the aspects of the grant related to the high tunnel grant program and assistance to farmers markets.

How does Prescription for Health work? In a Prescription for Health program, individuals at risk for or diagnosed with a chronic health condition who also have an economic barrier to purchasing fresh produce are referred by an approved health care practitioner to the program. Qualified participants receive vouchers each month that can be spent on fresh produce at participating farmers markets.

The project lead for the U. P. Food as Medicine team is the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP).

UPCAP’s purpose is to promote the development of the human, social, and community resources throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. UPCAP works with programs that promote health and wellness, equitable housing, support for seniors, and much more. Learn more here .

How do the Food As Medicine Farmer Grants relate to the Prescription for Health Program? All farmers who sell produce at participating farmers markets are able to accept the Prescription for Health vouchers. A farmers market vendor at a participating market that sells produce does not have to be a grant recipient to accept the vouchers.

However, increasing the supply of fresh produce in the Upper Peninsula is essential to ensuring there is enough food available for participants in Prescription for Health, and supporting the health and wellness of all residents. Assisting farms so they may grow more produce supports this goal.

Additionally, high tunnel grant recipients will be invited to partner on future Food as Medicine programming, which could be outside the parameters of the current Prescription for Health program. What is the goal of the FAM High Tunnel Grant Program? The goal of the program is to minimize or remove financial barriers that prevent U.

P. farms from scaling up their operation and food production. High tunnels dramatically increase the growing season for area farms and support better growth of heat loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers that are popular at farmers markets.

They are an expensive investment for farms but are essential in the U. P. Helping farms obtain a high tunnel can mean farms have product as early as March and late into October.

It is especially helpful to assist new and beginning farms secure a high tunnel so they have a higher production at the start of their business, bringing them much needed capital and ensuring they have more items to offer at their area farmers market. The FAM team wants to support the growth of the Upper Peninsula farm economy and increase access to local food for all residents.

Food as Medicine High Tunnel Grant Applicant Information Requirements of the Grant Farms must be a for-profit business located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Farms must have some amount of produce to sell in the 2024 agricultural season. Past awardees of UPFE infrastructure grants are not eligible for this grant.

Proposed high tunnel can be designed for the needs of the farm but must be a new kit from a manufacturer and should include W-trusses. Propagation structures are allowed under this grant. Having a portion of the project budget dedicated to electrical, excavation, and construction needed specifically for the installation of a high tunnel is allowable under this grant.

Farmers must be prepared to upload a photo of the site where they propose to place the high tunnel. Farmer must be willing to work with Upper Peninsula Commission on Area Progress (UPCAP) on future Prescription for Health Programs outside of the grant cycle (up to four years). This may include: Accepting Prescription for Health vouchers under future funding.

Working with UPCAP to reach a mutually beneficial contract to provide food (at a wholesale, not retail, price) for Head Start or Meals on Wheels programs, should farm have the capacity at the time. Farmers must provide proof of effective food safety practices, either through current GAP or similar certification, or through technical and food safety assistance offered from the UP Produce Safety Technician.

Commitment to build the high tunnel within the parameters of the grant timelines (exceptions granted in the case of supply line issues). Grant awards are distributed starting in April 2024, with the expectation that construction is completed and all paperwork is turned in by September 20, 2024. Farmers must be able to provide proof of ownership or land lease agreement at the site where the hoop house will be built.

Farmers must participate in the follow-up survey, site visit, and wrap-up interviews upon completion of the project. This may include a short interview and photography or video on-site. In addition to use for grant reporting, these materials may be used for promotional/marketing purposes.

A signed media release is required to receive funding. Farmers must share record keeping data, all receipts, invoices, and proof of purchases for materials and services associated with the high tunnel build. Failure to demonstrate full spending of the grant funds on accepted items will result in the repayment of funds to the Food as Medicine program.

On-farm labor to build the structure is allowable, but reimbursement is limited to $500 total for labor cost. Contracted external labor is allowed to exceed $500. Options for contracted labor for high tunnels are limited.

At this time, UPFE is only aware of one company that offers construction in the U. P. Applicants should be prepared to organize a work crew for construction.

Travel and meal expenses are not allowable. Proof of insurance that covers the structure built with grant funds is required, if not before the project begins, then before final funds are distributed. Not all projects may require the full grant amount.

Other projects may require more funds than are available to complete the project. Farmers are expected to contribute financially should the project cost be higher. Grant applicants must submit a budget that demonstrates the predicted amount to be spent on the project, including actual quotes.

Farmer must sign a contract with UPCAP identifying terms and conditions of the grant. Grant Rubric and Selection Process We want applicants to understand the goals of the grant so they can better asses if their farm is a good fit. For full transparency, the rubric used in the grant selection is shared here .

Points will be awarded individually by the grant selection team. The points awarded to farms by each team member will be combined. The aggregate top point holders will be considered for grant awards.

This year, there are questions that help support new and beginning farms be competitive for the grant. The U. P.

Food Exchange team is administering the grant and the grant process but awards will be chosen by a board appointed by the UPFE and FAM network. The board will include residents of the Upper Peninsula with experience with agriculture, construction, and grants or grant administration. Grant funds will be distributed in one of two ways.

Recipients will work closely with members of UPFE to customize a distribution system that works for both parties. All purchases and reimbursements are subject to approval by UPFE and UPCAP. It is preferred that large purchases are paid directly to vendor by UPCAP.

UPCAP can assist with setting up payment with vendors. This ensures that large upfront costs are not incurred by the farmer themselves. Farmers may be reimbursed directly by turning in receipts for allowable expenditures.

Items should be pre-approved with UPFE before being purchased to ensure reimbursement. A detailed budget using the provided budget template is required for all grant submissions. This should include cost of kit, endwalls, any venting, and all other materials or work to be done.

Some examples of cost to think about include the following: Delivery charges for shipped materials. Estimated labor or quote for on farm and contracted, external labor Find an example budget template here . You can feel free to use this and adjust it as needed to reflect your project.

If you have any trouble opening this document you may contact Sarah at 906-225-0671 x 723 Be sure to review all of the above information fully before beginning the application. This includes reviewing the rubric, budget template, and budget document. Once you begin the application you will not be able to save and come back to your work.

For your convenience, the full list of questions is available here . It is best to ensure you can answer all questions before beginning the process. For those investigating what they may need, below are some resources for learning more about high tunnels.

We only have funding for three awards this year. We encourage farmers to also check out the EQIP funding available from NRCS for high tunnels. High Tunnel Initiative | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.

gov) Nifty Hoops (currently only company that offers construction in the U. P.)