The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds a wide set of federal programs that advance food and agriculture systems, natural resource stewardship, rural economic development, and nutrition across the United States. It awards competitive and formula grants, matching funds, technical assistance, and loans to public entities, nonprofits, universities, producer cooperatives, and individual farmers and ranchers to strengthen local food systems, agricultural markets, and rural communities. USDA programs are often delivered through state agencies, regional offices, or specific USDA mission areas and target sector-specific needs (e.g., specialty crops, dairy, bison, maple) and population groups such as military veterans and farm labor tenants.
Mix of competitive national NOFOs, state-administered block grants, matching grants, technical-assistance contracts, and loan programs. Many awards are issued annually or per solicitation cycle, with some programs routed through state departments of agriculture or USDA field offices; award sizes range from small technical-assistance grants to multi-hundred-thousand-dollar state block grants and larger loan commitments.
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Monitor USDA program pages and Grants.gov for Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and state department of agriculture announcements; many programs require state-level submission or matching funds. Check program-specific eligibility (nonprofits, public entities, producer groups, or individuals), note that deadlines vary by program/state, and contact relevant USDA agency or state office early for technical-assistance opportunities and pre-application guidance.
Current and upcoming funding from United States Department of Agriculture that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligibility defined in NIFA NOFO; typically academic institutions and eligible organizations focused on workforce/education projects.
Deadline: Example deadline: Jan 20, 2026 (check current NOFO for exact date)
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.