MDAR Food Ventures Grant Program

MDAR Food Ventures Grant Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The goal of this program is to increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities by providing funding to support food ventures, primarily in or near such communities.

## Overview of MDAR Grant Opportunities Agricultural land preservation, environmental conservation, energy efficiency and business planning are some of the keys to the future viability of agricultural enterprises.

The Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance (DACTA) promotes agricultural land preservation, environmental stewardship, technology, and technical assistance to meet the challenges of 21st century farming. Funding programs cover a wide variety of needs within the agricultural and food system to help farmers address challenges from economic viability to climate resilience while strengthening our overall food system.

Examples of some of the funding programs are highlighted in this story map. You can learn more about MDAR grant opportunities, and other programs, in the translated booklet you'll find below in the "Additional Resources" section. For a paper copy, please email Olivia.

Palmer@Mass. gov. In addition, you can watch the video linked below for general tips on how to apply for grants. ## Food Safety, Environmental, and Energy Grant Programs ### Farm Readiness Grant Program The Farm Readiness Grant Program provides reimbursement funding for farms to purchase and install ready-to-deploy equipment and make small-scale upgrades within their existing farm footprint.

The program supports commercially available projects that improve production, handling, storage, efficiency, and resource management and that can be completed on an accelerated timeline. This funding is designed for farms that are ready to move forward immediately and complements MDAR’s larger, construction-based capital grant programs. For more information, visit the Farm Readiness Grant Program webpage.

This program is no longer accepting applications. ### **Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)** **This program is not currently accepting applications.

** ### **Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program** This grant program is for the implementation of projects that help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change, mitigate climate change, improve economic resiliency, and advance general goals identified in the Massachusetts Local Action Food Plan. **For more information, visit the****ACRE Program****webpage.

** ### **Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)** This grant program is for the implementation of agricultural conservation practices that reduce or prevent negative impacts to the Commonwealth's natural resources that may result from agricultural practices, while maintaining sustainability and productivity of the agricultural operation. **For more information, visit the****AEEP Program****webpage.

** ### **Agricultural Energy Grant Program** This grant program is for the implementation of agricultural projects that improve energy efficiency and facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies. **For more information, visit the****ENER Program****webpage.

** ### **Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)** This grant program is for the implementation of practices that prevent or reduce food safety risks for produce or aquaculture operations, meet regulatory requirements, and improve market access. **For more information, visit the****AFSIP****webpage. ** ### **Cranberry Renovation Tax Credit Program** Cranberry bogs require periodic upkeep and renovation.

Most bogs are built to allow for flooding at harvest, which can require substantial amounts of water if the bog is not level. In addition, bog renovation provides an opportunity to install a new tile drainage system, irrigation pipes, pumps, monitoring equipment and more. Renovating existing bogs or restoring old bogs that have been out of service can be costly.

Recognizing the economic challenges facing cranberry growers who do want to renovate their bogs to increase yield, reduce energy cost and improve water efficiency, all of which is better for the Massachusetts economy and environment, the legislature recently established a new tax credit program to offset 25% of the cost of renovating cranberry bogs in Massachusetts, up to a $100,000 credit.

For more information, please visit the Cranberry Renovation Tax Credit Program webpage. ### **Dairy Farmer Tax Credit Program** This grant program offers registered Massachusetts dairy farms a state income tax credit. This credit is based on production for any month in which the farm price of milk falls below a trigger price.

This program was created to offset the cyclical downturns in milk prices paid to dairy farms. **For more information, visit the****Dairy Farmer Tax Credit Program****webpage. ** ### **Farm Energy Discount Program** This program provides discounts on electricity and natural gas bills.

Discounts are 10% to eligible entities engaged in production agriculture. Certification by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is required. MDAR must approve eligible persons or corporations.

**For more information, visit the****FEDP webpage****. ** MDAR works with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to reimburse certified organic farmers and food processors up to 75% ($750 dollars maximum) of the total certification cost. Farms and food companies must be inspected and certified to receive funds.

Parties receiving renewal of certification may be eligible. **For more information, visit the****Organic Cost Share Program webpage****. ** ### **Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Retrofit Program** 7 out of 10 farms are out of business within five years of a fatal tractor rollover.

It makes sense to protect yourself, your family and your business. Rollover protective structures (ROPS) are 99% effective in preventing rollover deaths and injuries. This grant program will rebate 70% of the cost of purchasing and installing the ROPS (up to $865 maximum rebate).

Rebate funds are good towards the price of the ROPS kit, shipping charges, tax, professional installation costs, and a sun canopy. You can buy and install the ROPS kit (rollbar and seatbelt) as well as any of the previous items. Retrofit Program details here (.

pdf) ## Farm Improvement Grants ### **Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)** FVEP provides business planning and technical assistance to help established farms identify strategies to increase farm viability.

Participants selected to participate in the program may be offered grant funds to implement strategies identified in the planning process in return for signing an agricultural covenant on the farm property for a 10 or 15-year term. FVEP details here. This program is not currently accepting applications.

### **APR Improvement Program(AIP)** This grant program provides business and technical assistance to farms with land that has already been protected through MDAR's Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. Grant funds may be available on a reimbursement basis with a required 10% match by participants for capital infrastructure improvements on the farm identified through the planning process. AIP details here.

This program is not currently accepting applications. ### **Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA)** This grant program funds projects to restore farmland for agricultural use on agricultural preservation restriction (APR) farms. Funding of up to $50,000, with a 15% match, may be available on a cost reimbursement basis for approved projects.

SARA details here. This program is not currently accepting applications. ### **Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant (RFSI)** This grant program funds projects that build resilience across the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for their state’s producers.

USDA has awarded states funding, and states are to make sub-awards in the form of Infrastructure Grants and Simplified Equipment-Only Grants to middle-of-the-supply businesses to create more diverse local and regional market options and create more economic opportunities for communities, allowing them to retain more of the value chain dollar.

RFSI investments aim to create a food systems infrastructure to support competitive and profitable market access for domestic farm products. RFSA details here. This grant program is no longer accepting applications.

### **Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program (MEGA)** This grant program assists beginning farm businesses who are between 1 and 10 years in business by providing technical assistance and business planning. Grant funds may be available with a 1:1 match to assist farmers whose goal is to raise agricultural products and who are developing their farms into commercially viable operations.

For more information, visit the MEGA webpage. This program is not currently accepting applications.

## Grants to Improve Food Access ### **Massachusetts Food Trust Program** This grant program funds projects that increase access to healthy, affordable food options, sourcing Massachusetts grown, caught or harvested healthy food and to improve economic opportunities for nutritionally underserved communities in urban, rural and suburban localities. Application period is currently closed. Food Trust Program details here.

### **Massachusetts Food Ventures Program** This grant program funds projects that support food ventures in low or moderate income communities. This includes Gateway Cities and rural communities. Participants selected by the program will be reimbursed up to $500,000, and the minimum award is $100,000.

Application period is currently closed. Food Ventures Program details here. ### **Urban Agriculture Program** This grant program advances agricultural goals and objectives of Massachusetts.

The program funds infrastructure needs, innovative food production, zoning ordinances, technical assistance, land acquisition, and youth leadership development. Application period is currently closed. Urban Agriculture Program details here.

### **Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program** The FSIG program seeks to strengthen the Massachusetts food system and build resilience within the food supply chain. Funds will support infrastructure projects that improve local food production and distribution, strengthen the middle of the food supply chain, expand food access and nutrition security, and support emergency preparedness.

Eligible applicants are Massachusetts agricultural and seafood producers, processors, and distributors. Municipalities, tribes, non-profits, and other food system entities are also able to apply. FY27 awards will range from $10,000 - $5000,000.

Applicants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants and are required to contribute a 20% cash match. **This program is not currently accepting applications. ** ### **Dairy Promotion Board Grant** The Board works with the MDAR to seek proposals for projects that advance Massachusetts dairy products.

This includes the image, sales, and demand for dairy. **For more information, visit the****Dairy Promotion Board Grant****webpage. ** ### **Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)** This program funds research projects that address challenges and opportunities in the sale of agricultural products.

This includes marketing, transportation, and distribution. **For more information, visit the****FSMIP****webpage. ** ### **Specialty Crop Block Grant** This program awards projects that increase sales of specialty crops.

MDAR's review panel prepares the initial review and award recommendations to the USDA. The USDA is the funding entity and has the final approval of all projects. **For more information, visit the****Specialty Crop Block Grant Program****webpage.

** ## Farmland Action Plan and Farmland Partnership Program This is a grant program to help implement the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan at the local, regional or statewide level. The goal of the program is to build networks of Partners who work together collaboratively and in coordination to protect farmland, enhance farm viability, and ensure access to farmland.

This will be achieved by providing funding to eligible partners to work with farmers, farmland owners, agricultural service providers, municipalities and others to protect farmland, enhance farm viability, and ensure access to farmland, as well as coordinate and collaborate between partners as a cohort. Application period is currently closed. For more information, visit the Farmland Partnership webpage.

## Agriculture Preservation Restriction (APR) Program This program protects productive farmland by purchasing deed restrictions. This makes land more affordable to farmers, which revitalizes the agricultural industry. The program works to bolster the state’s $550,000,000 agricultural industry by keeping farms in active commercial use.

We signal to the industry that we support our farmers and encourage a strong and viable agricultural economy. **For more information, visit the****APR Program Objectives & Benefits****page.

** ## Agricultural Composting Improvement Program (ACIP) This grant program funds projects and equipment to facilitate composting best management practices, use of compost for agricultural purposes, and enhance overall management of agricultural composting operations. **For more information and an application, visit the****Agricultural Composting Improvement Grant Program website****.

** ## Cranberry Renovation & Enhancement Program This program provides funding for both cranberry renovation projects aimed at upgrading existing cranberry bogs, as well as enhancement initiatives that increase productivity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. For more information visit the Cranberry Renovation & Enhancement Program webpage. This program is not currently accepting applications.