Cooperative Agreement AM22RFBCGA0001

The US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $613,580 Regional Food System Partnerships grant to Wholespire Inc. to formalize a cross-sector local food system network in South Carolina. Through October 2024, Wholespire will manage a network of partners to 1) connect and cultivate South Carolina's local food economy, 2) develop an equitable food system plan addressing farmland loss and increasing access, 3) build capacity for local food businesses and organizations,...

The Brookland Center for Community Economic Change (BCCEC) will utilize $320,656 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program to support its Growing Capacity & Strength through Local Food Channels program from September 2021 through September 2024. The BCCEC, located in West Columbia, South Carolina, will use the funding to develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food systems through initiatives...

The Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association will receive $494,960 under a Project Grant award from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The Cooperative will use the funding to maximize wholesale produce sales for socially disadvantaged and small farmers in South Carolina through its packaging and processing facility. Specifically, the grant will support operational investments and financial modeling to...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services awarded a $250,000 Project Grant under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) to the Southeastern Growers Association, Inc. in North Carolina. The grant, awarded on September 26, 2023, will support the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food systems through initiatives to increase access to and availability of locally produced agricultural products, encourage...

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina State University was awarded a $1,228,716 Project Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program. The grant will fund development and evaluation of local food procurement models to increase market viability for producers through the Farm to Early Care and Education initiative. Working with four sub-awardees—Partners for Children & Families, the...

This federal project grant award for $698,050 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Advocacy and Outreach is funded through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (CFDA 10.443) program. The grant aims to provide networking opportunities and training to Black farmers in North Carolina to help them improve their farming operations, access new markets, and leverage USDA resources to secure capital. Key products and services to be...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service awarded a $190,000 Rural Business Development Grant (CFDA 10.351) to South Carolina State University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU), to promote sustainable economic development and facilitate the development of small and emerging private businesses in rural communities. This 2-year project grant, awarded on July 20, 2023, will enable South Carolina State University to leverage its expertise in agriculture, food,...

The Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association was awarded a $149,790 Rural Business Development Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service under the Rural Business Development Grant program (CFDA 10.351). The grant will support the Association's efforts to promote sustainable economic development and facilitate the emergence of small businesses and related employment opportunities in rural communities in South Carolina through July 2023. Specifically, the funding will...

The Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service awarded a $109,583 Project Grant under the Rural Business Development Grant program (CFDA 10.351) to the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs on July 25, 2022. The grant period extends through July 25, 2024. Funds will support the Commission's delivery of rural enterprise and cooperative development services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in South Carolina. The Rural Business Development Grant program aims to promote...

This $749,335 Project Grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (CFDA 10.443) program on September 29, 2023, will fund Foodshed Capital to provide financial literacy, bookkeeping and accounting, lending readiness, and long-term business viability training to BIPOC farmers. This will include instruction on climate-smart farming practices and accessing USDA programs. Foodshed Capital, a Community...