Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 10.179 (USAspending.gov).
- Hawaii Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity 2 awards $6,028,820
- Alaska Department Of Natural Resources 2 awards $5,811,691
- Department Of Agriculture Hawaii $3,576,471
- Commonwealth Of The Northern Mariana Islands 2 awards $460,629
- Asg Department Of Agriculture $237,100
- Executive Office Of The Government Of The Us Virgin Islands $237,100
- Government Of Guam- Department Of Administration $237,100
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
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 communities. These projects may include small-scale gardening, herding, livestock and other projects that expand access to food and knowledge of food security.
The eligible agencies or departments are responsible for designing and administering the subaward competition, including defining program requirements, announcing funding availability, conducting public outreach, recruiting reviewers, and making subaward selections. In addition, eligible agricultural agencies or state departments are responsible for administratively and programmatic oversight of awarded subrecipients. This includes ensuring subrecipients maintain appropriate records, monitoring subaward projects for compliance with applicable Federal statutes and regulations and applicable AMS General Terms and Conditions, collecting and validating project data, reporting on program outcomes and statutory requirements, and submitting reports to AMS.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Applications submitted by other states or entities are not eligible for consideration under the MGFSP and will be excluded from review.
Beneficiaries
- Other
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.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
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.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 120 to 180 days
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.
Program details & compliance
Description
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.
Mission Categories
Primary: Marketing Opportunities
Other categories:
Food Supply ChainFood Security
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
• 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.
Restrictions
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).
Required Documentation
A grant agreement is entered between the AMS and the eligible entity that submits an application. OMB Guidance for Grants Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR § 200 and 2 CFR § 400 applies to this program. 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
As a condition of receiving a subgrant under this section, an eligible entity shall provide funds equal to 10 percent of the amount received by the eligible entity under the subgrant, to be derived from non-Federal sources. A State or insular area may waive the matching requirement for an individual who otherwise meets the requirements to receive a subgrant by the eligible State/insular area.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements