The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $125,000 cooperative agreement to Northeast Florida Regional Council on March 1, 2026, under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) to advance an organic gluten-free grain value chain focused on increasing processing and consumption of organic, gluten-free, high-protein oats and rotational crop millet in Montana and surrounding regions.
The award runs through February 29, 2028, with performance taking place in Florida. Northeast Florida Regional Council, a regional planning organization serving seven counties in Northeast Florida, will lead the initiative to develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food systems supporting direct producer-to-consumer markets and food business enterprises. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products through competitive grant awards ranging from two to three years in length.