On September 30, AMS announced awards for four grant programs that work to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers. These awards include:
$72.4 million in grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and $4.4 million in grant funding through the new Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). Both programs are authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and awarded to eligible states and territories through a non-competitive application process.
$27 million in grant funding through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) and $9.3 million in grant funding through the new Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant program. The grants fall under the Local Agricultural Marketing Program (LAMP) authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Combined, these AMS grant programs will provide over $3 million in funding to support Alaska’s food and agricultural systems!
Regional Food System Partnership:
Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Anchorage, AK: Building and Strengthening Local and Regional Food Systems in the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Region
Alaska Food Policy Council, Anchorage, AK: Growing Connections and Building Networks for Greater Food Security
Farmers Market & Local Food Promotion Program:
Kodiak Harvest Food Cooperative, Kodiak, AK: Kodiak Harvest Food Cooperative Local Food Access Project
Micro-Grants for Food Security Program:
Alaska Division of Agriculture, Juneau, AK Project Type: Initiative Alaska 2020 Micro Grants for Food Security Program Award
Specialty Crop Block Grants (Administered by AK Division of Agriculture):
Alaska Farmers Market Association/ Cook Inletkeeper: Alaska Farmers Market Manager & Specialty Crop Vendor Training Toolkit
Chilkat Valley Historical Society & American Bald Eagle Foundation: Chilkat Valley Orchard Project
Farragut Farm: Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit
Homer Soil & Water Conservation District: Potential Distribution for Kenai Peninsula Farmers
Alaska Pacific University/ Spring Creek Farm: Root Washer Development & Workshop
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station: Assessment of Lygus Bug Damage in Peonies
