Federal Grants for Locally Grown Food
By: Amy Mearkle
Updated: March 24, 2010
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- Federal grants aimed at increasing direct farmer-to-consumer sales and improving access to locally grown food are now available. The deadline to apply is April 15.
Grants of up to $100,000 per project are available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers Market Promotion Program to improve domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct market opportunities.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top 5 states nationally in direct farm sales. Eligible applicants include agricultural cooperatives; producer networks and associations; local and tribal governments; non-profit, public benefit and economic development corporations; and regional farmers market authorities. Individuals are not eligible.
Applicants should focus on recruiting and retaining new farmers to participate at farmers markets, or pursuing professional development opportunities for those individuals and/ or improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms in local, rural and underserved communities.
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