Farm Finance Digest | February 2025
(An excerpt from ‘Farm Finance Digest’: SCI’s Monthly Newsletter)
UPDATES FROM THE REGENERATIVE FINANCE HUB
The landscape of food and agriculture is rapidly evolving, bringing significant changes both nationally and within SCI. I wanted to share an important update about my changing role and our program's priorities for the coming year.
I will be stepping into a new role with SCI as our Director of Program Integration and Finance, focusing on developing tools and processes that will ensure seamless coordination across SCI's programs—from farm planning to verification. While I'll continue supporting the regenerative finance landscape, my efforts will now concentrate more on systems work rather than individual grant writing services. We will continue to send out this monthly Farm Finance Digest, and as always we value your feedback!
Given the frequent changes to USDA websites, many grant resources have been removed or paused. We are encouraging impacted farmers to contact their state delegation.
The current funding environment for regenerative agriculture is challenging. Many IRA and Climate-Smart Commodity grants are currently on hold, and one-time funded programs like the Regional Food System Infrastructure grants—which I helped several of you secure—were one-time funding opportunities (that could benefit rural and regional food system economies if they were made permanent).
There's considerable uncertainty surrounding conservation-funded IRA programs like EQIP. I am closely monitoring the landscape and will provide updates as we learn more information.
In the meantime, I'm particularly interested in capturing and sharing real experiences during this dynamic period. We plan to feature these stories across various media channels.
🌾 Please let me know if you:
Have been impacted by grant freezes, OR
Successfully funded regenerative practices using EQIP funds during the past several years
I deeply appreciate your continued dedication to growing food and maintaining healthy, productive agricultural lands for future generations.
-Julie Davenson, Director of Program Integration and Finance
RESOURCES
FOOD POLICY TRACKER
Civil Eats has launched a Food Policy Tracker to provide the latest updates on actions taken by the President, federal agencies, and Congress that directly relate to or have impacts on the food system.
This includes key agriculture grants and policies impacting farmers.
FUNDING FOR FARMER-LED RESEARCH
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.
They offer grant funding for organic farming research, including farmer-led trials.
Discover their funding options and download a free research guide to help design on-farm trials.
This guide assists farmers in planning research and developing proposals for funding on-farm research.
LAWYERS FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT
If you are a recipient of federal funding that has been impacted, Lawyers for Good Government are offering assistance, as resources allow, to answer legal questions about how to protect your funding.
L4GG is dedicated to ensuring that grantees and subawardees of federal programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are protected from threats to their funds.
EVENTS
WEBCAST
How Soil Carbon Credits Drive Sustainability Across Industries
February 27 at 11am EST
Dive into the intersection of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements and the transformative potential of soil carbon initiatives.
You’ll learn:
The key CSRD requirements enforced by the EU from 2025 onwards and their implications for corporate reporting
How soil carbon programs provide incremental and net positive benefits to corporate sustainability strategies
The methods used to ensure integrity in calculating and reporting carbon reductions and removals
The impact of soil carbon initiatives on both direct and non-direct supply chain companies
Agreena’s role in facilitating partnerships between farmers and corporations to advance sustainability goals
UPCOMING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
February 2025 Deadlines
🌾 USDA Regional Food Business Center: Utah Business Builder Grants
Deadline: February 26
🌾 Connecticut Department of Agriculture: Connecticut Agricultural Enhancement Grant
Deadline: February 28
February 2025 Deadlines
🌾 USDA Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center: Diverse Markets Business Builder Grants
Deadline: March 1
🌾 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship: Iowa Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Deadline: March 3
🌾 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP): Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP)
Deadline: March 10
🌾 USDA Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center (Wyoming): Business Builder grants for local food producers and value-added food businesses
Deadline: March 14
April 2025 Deadlines
🌾 USDA Rural Business Development: Value-Added Producer Grants
Deadline: April 17