California Forest Improvement Program

The Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) creates new wealth through the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products through a grant program. The first 15 qualifying applicants are invited to present funding proposals on a quarterly basis for the following grant categories: -Basic and Applied Research -Marketing and Utilization -Farm Diversification -Technical Assistance -Nature Based Agri-Tourism -Prototype Development and Technology

Purpose: The Program may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative or Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved pesticides registered for use in CA on BLH and/or on rangeland/hillside. Project Scope: The Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program (BCTVCP) may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), the primary vector of the beet curly top virus or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative or Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved pesticides registered for use in CA on BLH and/or on rangeland/hillside.

The Chicago Neighborhood Market Grant Program provides Chicago small food and beverage business owners and farmers market operators with one-time grants of $10,000 to strengthen local food systems and expand access to fresh, healthy food across the city. Administered by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) in partnership with Allies for Community Business (A4CB), the program is funded by the Chicago Road to Recovery Plan through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with A4CB providing $450,000 in total grant funding to eligible applicants. To qualify, applicants must be a small retail food and beverage business owner or a farmers market operator, operating a storefront or market that is physically located within one of Chicago's designated priority geographies. The program specifically focuses on businesses that serve as both economic anchors and food access points in neighborhoods historically impacted by disinvestment, with the broader goal of ensuring that access to fresh, healthy food does not depend on the neighborhood a resident lives in. Grant funds may be used for a range of purposes, including equipment purchases, market operations, marketing and outreach efforts, and improvements that help farmers markets operate year-round rather than only during traditional market seasons.

The Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant provides Iowa small-scale meat processing businesses, licensed custom lockers, and mobile slaughter units with grants of up to $20,000 to purchase equipment that expands processing capacity. Administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) through the Choose Iowa program and established under Iowa Code 2025, Section 15E.370, the current round of funding has $105,000 in total available funding. The program is a subset of the broader Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Grant, with this current round focused exclusively on equipment purchases rather than facility construction or expansion. Applicants must provide a minimum 1:1 financial match from private sources (such as cash, financing, or other non-federal or non-state grant funds). In-kind contributions are not accepted, and grants are paid out as reimbursements after the project is completed. To qualify, applicants must be a state-inspected or federally inspected small-scale meat processing business, a licensed custom locker, or a mobile slaughter unit (operating in compliance with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service’s mobile slaughter unit compliance guide) that is incorporated or authorized to do business in Iowa. Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Iowa, not currently in bankruptcy, employ fewer than 75 full-time nonseasonal individuals, employ only individuals legally authorized to work in Iowa, and either hold a current license from IDALS or be actively working with IDALS to obtain one. Businesses must not have been subject to any regulatory enforcement action related to federal, state, or local environmental, worker safety, food processing, or food safety laws within the last five years. IDALS employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply. Membership in the Choose Iowa Brand Program is not required but encouraged (and provides bonus scoring points on the application). Projects must create or expand meat processing opportunities, or provide greater flexibility or convenience in processing for local small-scale meat processing facilities. Projects must be conducted in Iowa, cannot be in progress before an application is submitted, and must be completed within the project period defined for the grant round. Eligible expenses include refrigerators or freezers, meat processing equipment, packaging equipment, and shipping and sales tax on those purchases. Ineligible expenses include installation costs (construction, site prep, electrical, plumbing), administrative or overhead costs, cost of doing business (inventory, license fees, working capital), advertising, public relations, entertainment, employee wages and benefits, general-use equipment not related to the project, fines, penalties or settlements, real estate purchases, rent or contract payments extending beyond the grant contract term, union organizing-related costs, and lobbying or political activity. Applications are submitted through the Choose Iowa online application portal and are competitively scored on a 100-point scale across six criteria: alignment with the program’s goals of creating jobs and expanding processing opportunities (20 points), impact on Iowa agriculture (20 points), measurable project objectives (20 points), business readiness and financial sustainability (15 points), detailed budget and match (15 points), and work plan and timeline (10 points). Choose Iowa Brand Program members can earn up to three bonus points on top of the 100-point base score. Awardees must sign a grant agreement with IDALS within 30 days of receipt and are required to submit a project summary with photos and detailed outcomes when requesting final reimbursement.

The Choose Iowa Grants exist to identify, evaluate and financially support programs and services that add value to agricultural products, enable new technologies and support alternative marketing strategies. These cost-share grants leverage additional private investment and were created to assist Iowa farmers, businesses and non-profits with their efforts to increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, expand markets and shorten the supply chain. The grants work to expand access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products. There are three main grant programs under this umbrella: -Value-Added Grant - Iincrease sales of Iowa agricultural products by increasing production capacity or expanding market access for value-added projects. Maximum awarded up to $25,000 per grant awardee. -Dairy Innovation Grant - Award financial assistance to eligible businesses engaged in projects to create or refurbish milk plants and other dairy processing units. -Butchery Innovation Grant - Financial support to purchase, rent, expand, or refurbish slaughter and refrigeration units for processing meat or poultry.