Application Period Now Open for Climate Smart, Food Safety, Cranberry Bog Renovation, and Food Venture Programs

Open Application Period for MDAR’s Grant Programs

MDAR’s grants are available to help agricultural operations with business planning and technical assistance, as well as to make farm improvements that enhance their economic viability, help prevent negative impacts to environmental resource, adapt and mitigate climate change, improve energy efficiency, and adopt renewable energy technologies. In addition, grants are available to help fund projects that support food ventures in low- or moderate-income communities, and urban agriculture projects. Applicants are encouraged to review the information and application on the individual program’s webpage. If interested in applying, applications must be submitted with any supporting documentation by the program’s deadline.

Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)

CSAP links MDAR’s water, energy and climate grants together into one application. This includes the Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program, the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP), and the Agricultural Energy Grant Program (ENER). This program continues the goals of the three individual grants by implementing projects that help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change, mitigate climate change, reducing or preventing impacts to natural resources that may result from agricultural practices, and that improve energy efficiency and facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies.

The CSAP grant is broken into two sections:

• Section I: Environment is for environmental projects such as soil health, water use efficiency, or other projects working towards reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
• Section II: Energy is Ag-Energy projects to improve energy efficiency or to facilitate clean energy adoption.

Applicants can apply to either or both sections.

Participants selected for funding under either section are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.

Learn more and apply here: www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-to-the-climate-smart-agriculture-program

Applications due: 4:00PM on Friday, May 26, 2023

For more information contact:

Section I: Environment – Laura Maul at (857) 507-5972 or at Laura.Maul@mass.gov

Section II Energy – Gerry Palano at (617) 626-1706 or at Gerald.Palano@mass.gov

Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)

AFSIP is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.

Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.

Learn more and apply here: www.mass.gov/how-to/agricultural-food-safety-improvement-program-afsip

Applications due: 4:00PM on Friday, May 26, 2023

For more information, contact Laura Maul at (857) 507-5972 or at Laura.Maul@mass.gov

Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (MFVP)

The goal of MFVP is to increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities. The MFVP will provide funding through grants to support food ventures, sited primarily in or near communities of low or moderate income, including Gateway Cities and rural communities. The MFVP will help implement goals of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and contribute to the financing needs of local Massachusetts food enterprises. With expanded investment, completed projects will improve access to Massachusetts grown, harvested or caught food products through the development of collaborations with local agricultural enterprises and private/public entities. Key areas for investment include: food processing infrastructure to meet the needs of the expanding local food system; improved distribution systems to support opportunities for equitable access to fresh local food; and retail outlet strategies that enhance access to healthy food.

Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 50% of total project costs up to $250,000.

Learn more and apply here: www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-the-food-ventures-grant-program

Applications due: 4:00PM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

For more information, contact Rose Arruda at Rose.Arruda@mass.gov

Complete list of MDAR Grants here.