Farm Finance Updates | October 2024
By Julie Davenson, Farm Finance Specialist
Excerpt from ‘Farm Finance Digest’: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter
As I embrace the beauty of autumn here in New England (first coating of snow this morning), I cannot help but reflect on the adversities faced by communities in Florida and North Carolina due to the devastating hurricanes. These events highlight the urgency of our united efforts. We express our deepest gratitude to community pillars like Russell Hedrick in North Carolina, who coordinated responses in these challenging times.
I would like to gently remind you that there's still an opportunity to join the Soil & Climate Alliance's Fall Virtual Meeting this Wednesday, October 30. We have planned engaging working group meetings, focusing on essential crops like wheat, rice, and upper midwest grains regional pilots. As a reminder, registration is FREE for SCI Farmers!
Additionally, we dive into the realm of Financing Regenerative Agriculture to Scale, unwrapping the complexities of capital flow in regenerative agriculture and access routes. Click here to view the agenda.
In the background, I have been diligently developing and writing grant applications for regional collaborative projects. I have been trying to leverage a collaborative approach to secure more funding for our SCI farmers and the critical supply chain infrastructure that backs them.
Above all, your voice matters to us. We deeply appreciate your insights on your current needs and resources related to regenerative agriculture.
FARMER RESOURCES
Homegrown: Building A Local, Resilient Food System
Learn About USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Recipients
The Mt. Folly Enterprises Inc. Climate-Smart Project is building a network of regional whole-farm systems that incorporate climate-smart production practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to reduce fossil fuel use by decreasing the food miles that the resulting commodities travel from farm to table.
Changes to Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO)
Learn About USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Recipients
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) makes up to $7.7 billion available for Climate-Smart Practices on agricultural lands as part of Investing in America.
Find your USDA local service center to learn more and apply by your state’s ranking date.
Deadlines vary by state.
Farm Service Agency
First NRCS Buy-Protect-Sell Easement Closes in Vermont
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service unveils the first ever Buy-Protect-Sell easement option.
A Buy-Protect-Sell transaction is a new option for eligible entities to acquire farmland that is at risk of being developed quickly, and the entity transfers the ownership of the land to a qualified farmer or rancher. DeFreest Farms has used this new option to protect a 70- acre parcel for farming, flood resilience and recreation.
Inflation Reduction Act: Funding helps WI Producers Make Their Farm the Best It Can Be
Source: Farmers.org
Photo: Dan and Sheila Dittman of New Richmond, Wisconsin, run a produce farm called The Back 80 and grow a wide variety of vegetables and grains using organic principles for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, farmers markets and direct sales. Photo credit: Dan Dittman.
Dan and Sheila received financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement climate-smart conservation practices such as grassed waterway, wildlife habitat planting, and tree/shrub establishment.
Their land has been in Dan’s family since his grandparents purchased it in 1950, and it had previously been farmed using conventional methods.
Dan and Sheila first contacted Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) professionals at their local USDA Service Center for guidance on repairing a non-functioning grassed waterway, which led to a conservation plan that addressed their resource concerns.
Webinar Series | Local and Regional Foods Resources & Research Series
Local and Regional Foods Resources & Research webinar series is monthly webinar series highlighting local and regional foods research projects, resources, partnerships, and programs. The webinars will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 1pm ET.
Nov. 21, 2024
The Local and Regional Food Systems Resilience Playbook
Dec. 19, 2024
Visualizing Food Systems Data: Examples from Consumer Food Insights, Food and Agriculture Mapper and Explorer (FAME) and the Local Food Economics Data Visualization Challenge.
Jan. 16, 2025
The Promise of Urban Agriculture: Courses for Grower and Planners
Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
Learn About USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Recipients
Farm Service Agency (FSA) Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program is now open to small and medium-sized businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification.
Apply by Jan. 31. 2025.
UPCOMING GRANT DEADLINES
Commodity Foods Projects Competitive Grant Program
National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program has approximately $4.8 million available to fight food insecurity through developing community food projects that promote self-sufficiency of communities.
Deadline: November 7, 2024
Apply: HERE
Community Change Grants Program
Community Change Grants Program supports environmental and climate justice activities.
Deadline: November 21, 2024
Apply: HERE
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant
The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center’s grants support projects that address important issues affecting the region, regarding global good security challenges including invasive species, endangered species, pest resistance, and impacts resulting from regulatory actions.
Deadline: November 22, 2024
Apply: HERE
Southern IPM Grants Program
USDA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to host a Composting and Food Waste Reduction pilot project. Approximately $7.8 million is available to fund as many as 30 projects.
Deadline: November 22, 2024
Apply: HERE
Organic Farming Research Foundation's Farmer-Led Trials Program
This program provides farmers with technical assistance and $1,500 to investigate and learn about solutions to their most pressing production challenges. This program will provide support for on-farm learning trials aimed at testing new practices, inputs, varieties, or animal breeds that can improve profitability and environmental sustainability.
Deadline: December 1, 2024
APPLY: HERE
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities and Tribes and Intertribal Consortia help build a circular economy, improve local post-consumer materials management programs, and make improvements to local waste management systems.
Deadline: December 20, 2024
Apply: HERE