The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $795,575 Cooperative Agreement to Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project on March 1, 2026, under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175).
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, a North Carolina-based nonprofit, will deliver technical assistance, training, outreach, and financial incentives to increase access to and consumption of locally-grown produce in the Southern Appalachian region. The organization works to build connections between local farms and communities and to strengthen regional food systems through direct producer-to-consumer markets and local food business enterprises.
The award runs through February 28, 2029, with performance located in North Carolina. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food systems and direct marketing channels to increase access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Eligible applicants include agricultural businesses, nonprofits, food councils, producer networks, and tribal governments across domestic U.S. territories. Awards under this program are structured for two- or three-year performance periods, with grant recipients able to request a one-year extension upon project completion; renewal is not available once a project concludes.