Micro-Grants for Food Security Program

Eligible agricultural agencies or departments competitively distribute grant funds through subawards to eligible entities. Subaward projects funded through MGFSP help increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communitie

The purpose of MGFSP is to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure communities of the United States that have significant levels of food insecurity and import a significant quantity of food. Eligible applicants include agencies, commissions, or departments of agriculture in Alaska, Hawaii, and the insular areas or territories of the United States (including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the United States Virgin Islands). These eligible entities conduct a competitive process to distribute funds through subawards. Subawards can be made to individuals, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, food banks, food pantries and other non-profits, federally funded educational facilities (including Head Start Program, public schools, intuition of higher education and Tribal Colleges), and local governments that are located in eligible states and territories. Funds must be used to support activities that will increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food for food insecure individuals, families, and neighborhoods and communities.

Applications submitted by other states or entities are not eligible for consideration under the MGFSP and will be excluded from review.

Eligible sub-applicants include the following entities: an individual; an Indian tribe or tribal organization; a nonprofit organization engaged in increasing food security; a federally funded educational facility; and a local or Tribal government. Inclusion of beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers is strongly encouraged. Eligible sub-applicants must be located in one of the eligible states or territories and must apply directly to one of those agencies, commissions, or departments of agriculture. States and insular areas/territories must develop proposals that include a series of projects led by eligible sub-applicant(s) who will use the funds to engage in activities to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food for food insecure individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities.

• Eligible entities must engage in activities that will increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food for food insecure individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. Activities may include: Small-Scale Gardening; • Purchase gardening tools or equipment, soil, soil amendments, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, or other items necessary to grow and store food. • Purchase or assembly of composting units and towers designed to grow leafy greens. • Extend the growing season, as well as start or expand hydroponic and aeroponic farming. • Expand an area under cultivation or engage in other activities necessary to be eligible to apply for the funding under the USDA's Natural Resources and Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a high tunnel. Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations • Purchase animals • Buy, erect, or repair fencing for livestock, poultry, or reindeer. • Setting up or equipping a slaughter and processing facility approved by the Secretary, including purchasing mobile slaughterhouses. Expanding Access to Food and Knowledge of Food Security • Create or expand avenues for the sale of food commodities, specialty crops, and meats that are grown by the eligible entity for sale in the local community, or increase the availability of fresh, locally grown, and nutritious food. • Shipping of purchased items related to growing or raising food for local consumption or purchase. • Travel to participate in agricultural education provided by a state cooperative extension service, land-grant college or university, tribal college or university, Alaska Native serving institution, or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, or federal or state agency.

Eligible entities may not use grant funds for the construction or rehabilitation of a building. Funds must be used in accordance with the requirements of the 2 CFR § 200, Award Terms and Conditions, and the Request for Applications. More information can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/grants. Applicants have 4 calendar years to use the funds (1 year to conduct the competitive subaward process, and 3 years for subrecipients to conduct their projects).

Applicants have 4 calendar years to use the funds (1 year to conduct the competitive subaward process, and 3 years for subawardees to conduct their projects). Method of awarding/releasing assistance: See www.ams.usda.gov/grants for grant agreement award terms and conditions to obtain information on how assistance is awarded/released.

Preapplication coordination is not required for the program. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs).

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria established for the program and described in the RFA. The most current RFA is available via Grants.gov or www.ams.usda.gov/grants.

AMS outlines the application requirements and merit review process in each grant program's RFA. Applicants are required to use the RFA to apply for grant funds. After the application deadline has passed, AMS begins a process to evaluate each application submitted to the grant program and select applications for funding. Grant agreements are established with applicants based on the results of this process to ensure compliance with requirement that Federal awarding agencies maintain a fair, unbiased merit review process in establishing grants.

Funding opportunities are available annually. Applicants must review the applicable Request for Applications (RFA) for specific application deadlines. Refer to the program webpage at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants and visit the How to Apply tab for additional information.

Eligible applicants should review the RFA for the application deadline. Annual application deadlines and funding opportunities are posted in Grants.gov. More information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/grants.

Awards are issued for up to 3 years in length. Renewals are not applicable. A one- year extension to complete approved project activities may be requested, subject to AMS approval.

Applicants and recipients may appeal certain decisions in accordance with AMS appeal policies. Please refer to AMS appeal policies at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/policies-procedures