MDAR GRANT FY27- Buy Local Grant Program

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is soliciting grant proposals for the FY27 Buy Local Grant Program, with applications due July 17, 2026. The program funds agricultural businesses and organizations that promote local food systems and Massachusetts-grown products, with awards anticipated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.

Eligible applicants include agricultural organizations, farms, and food system entities implementing projects that strengthen local agricultural markets, enhance visibility and accessibility of Massachusetts-grown products, and increase consumer awareness. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating clear objectives, measurable outcomes, alignment with MDAR's agricultural mission, economic impact for local farmers, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Grant applications must include a project summary (2–4 sentences), identification of major goals and initiatives with specific quantifiable deliverables, and itemized budgets across eight expense categories: personnel (with employee names, titles, level of effort, and activity descriptions), fringe benefits, travel (limited to federal GSA rates), equipment (general-purpose items with useful life exceeding one year and acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit), supplies (under $5,000 per unit), contractual or consultant services (with hourly or flat rates and detailed justification), other expenses (meetings, communications, advertisements, data collection), and indirect costs. Applicants must provide Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates or justify their selected rates. All expenses must directly support Buy Local program activities and objectives.

Applications must be submitted via email to MDARgrants@mass.gov. Final contracts are subject to successful negotiation of a Final Scope of Services and compliance with Commonwealth of Massachusetts standard Terms and Conditions. Attachment A (available in PDF and Word format) and an optional Excel budget verification worksheet are provided.