The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $7.6 million in funding available through the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP).
The funding is aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations in food insecure communities in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories, according to an April 5 USDA Agricultural Marketing Service news release.
“USDA recognizes local and small-scale agricultural operations are vital in addressing food insecurity in geographically isolated states and territories,” Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in the release. “Micro-Grants provide funding to ensure communities in these areas have sustained access to quality, locally grown food.”
The program is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and awards grants to eligible states and territories through a non-competitive application process, the release reported. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will accept applications until June 6. The MGFSP has received an additional $3 million through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
According to the release, the additional funding will enable the program to support more communities in need. Eligible applicants include agricultural agencies or departments in Alaska, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Applications from states and territories must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET June 6, the release reported. Any grant application submitted after the due date will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance that prevented their timely submission of the grant application.
Only state departments of agriculture from the target areas can apply, according to the release. Individuals who are interested in applying for assistance through the MGFSP program must submit their project to the appropriate state department of agriculture.
